Giardia in dogs (causes, symptoms & help)

Giardia colonize the small intestine of many creatures and cause a lot of damage from there. But with the help of some medications, thorough hygiene and a lot of patience, you can help your pet.

What are giardia?

Giardia are single-celled parasites that live in the small intestine of dogs and feed on the nutrients they ingest.

The majority of puppies are infested with Giardia, but very few of them show symptoms. This makes them one of the most common endogenous parasites in our dogs.

There are around 40 species of Giardia. The tiny pests are only a few micrometers in size. They move around with the help of so-called flagella. To prevent them from being flushed away with the food and excreted, they hold on to the intestinal wall with suction cups. Once they are in the digestive tract of a living organism, they multiply rapidly.

About cysts and zoonosis

Some bacteria are excreted again in the feces. They are then enveloped so that they can survive for several months without a host. At this life stage, they are also called cysts.

These cysts can quickly infect other living creatures such as cats or even humans. The transmission of diseases from animals to humans and vice versa is called zoonosis.

Many dogs are infested with Giardia without showing symptoms. Only if symptoms also occur at the same time, one speaks of the outbreak of giardiasis.

Puppies are particularly at risk because their immune system is not yet fully developed. But older or weakened furry noses can also develop symptoms.

Immunity is possible after an infection has been overcome. Particularly immune strong dogs have sufficient antibodies not to get sick again. The parasites can be transmitted by many routes, such as infected water, feces, or food.

If your pet drinks from a puddle or licks objects where an infected dog has been before, it can pick up the parasites. Flies can also transmit giardia.

If the mother of a puppy is infected, she probably shows no symptoms and the disease goes unnoticed. However, the parasites can be transmitted through close contact. With a weak immune system, the outbreak of giardiasis is then much more likely to occur.

Stress or a change in diet can also weaken the defense system and thus contribute to the disease. If several dogs or cats are kept together, this also increases the risk of infection.

Only rarely does a giardia infestation cause symptoms. In most cases, the pathogens can be controlled before an outbreak of giardiasis occurs.

In puppies or weakened dogs it is different: the immune system is not one hundred percent functional and with time many symptoms appear.

The most noticeable symptoms are severe diarrhea and vomiting. The diarrhea is uncontrolled and occurs several times a day. Sometimes there is also blood in it. This happens when the Giardia has damaged the intestinal wall.

If your pet has an infection, it will probably have abdominal pain, cramps and a bloated stomach. You can recognize this by the cramped muscles in the abdomen. The stool is probably lighter in color than usual and smells foul.

Interesting facts about the parasites

As the parasites intercept the important nutrients in the intestines, your pet will lose weight even though he is eating just as much as before. This also worsens his general condition and weakens him. He is now more susceptible to other diseases, especially those of the stomach and intestines.

If your puppy is still growing during the infection, a severe infection can even lead to stunted growth. After all, your pet is now lacking important nutrients.

The symptoms do not occur continuously, but alternate with symptom-free phases.

Even though giardiasis is stressing your four-legged friend and you're probably worried, remember that it's not life-threatening and you can help quickly with the right treatment.

Here you will find a summary of the most important symptoms:

• Diarrhea (bloody, mucous)
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain and cramps
• Flatulence
• light feces, rotten smell
• cramped muscles in the abdominal area
• Weight loss
• Weakness

If your pet has any of these symptoms, it is important to see a veterinarian. This is especially important if you discover blood in the diarrhea or if your pet loses weight.

A clear diagnosis is only possible with a laboratory test. This involves examining the feces under a microscope. Therefore, you should bring at least 3 days of feces samples with you if you suspect a cyst. This is because cysts are not excreted in every sample.

If necessary, the bacteria can also be detected by the vet by means of a colonoscopy or by analyzing intestinal fluid.

However, these tests only make sense if the suspicion of giardiasis is to be confirmed. After treatment, they are no longer conclusive enough. This is because even with a negative test, there may still be a few giardia in the body.

These may be enough to trigger a new infection. In addition, the parasites can also hide in the bile duct. There they are then no longer detectable.

Treatment against the annoying bacteria usually proves to be very difficult. Giardia are very stubborn and their cysts can be spread all over the home. This is why medication alone does not help. In addition, strict hygiene must be maintained.

The vet can recommend various antiparasitic agents. Possible active ingredients could be metronidazole, fenbendazole, febantel or albendazole.

These antibiotics or anthelmintics are administered 3 - 5 days in a row, depending on which agent is used. If the number of pathogens is high, a control examination may be required and repeat treatment may be necessary.

Unfortunately, the drugs can have side effects that further weaken your protégé. Antibiotics, for example, weaken the stomach and intestinal flora. And these drugs do not always help. They can not kill all pathogens, but only a part. The rest must be taken over by your dog's immune system.

Only if hygiene is performed regularly and consistently, giardia can be completely eliminated. Even if it seems troublesome at first, it's still better than a setback in treatment.

Clean everything thoroughly

The cysts can also live for months without a host. Therefore, all objects your dog has come into contact with may be contaminated.

That's why you should wash toys, blankets and pillows at 90°. It is best to useDisinfectant detergent. Bowls and basketsyou should also start withrinse with hot water if possible. Unfortunately, you will then have to part with things that you can't wash thoroughly enough.** Lying surfaces and tiles should also be cleaned with hot water or steam.**

At the end, everything must be dried thoroughly. Giardia prefers moisture. You should also thoroughly disinfect everything that has been in contact with your four-legged friend. There are disinfectants that are specifically designed to combat Giardia infestation.

Lay out incontinence pads or newspapers

Your pet cannot control diarrhea in giardiasis. That is why it usually comes unexpectedly.

If you take him outside every hour, he will go inside less often. Nevertheless, you can lay out incontinence pads or newspapers in your home. This makes it easier to clean and also contributes to hygiene.

If your faithful companion jumps onto the sofa, you should cover it with comforter covers and change them daily. The comforter cover must also be washed at a minimum of 60°.

Dispose of feces quickly in the trash

You should dispose of the droppings in the trash as soon as possible. It is best to seal it in a bag beforehand. Otherwise flies could get to it and become infected. You should also wear rubber or latex gloves. After all, people can also be infected with these bacteria.

Of course, you can't remove the droppings as thoroughly in the garden as you can indoors. That's why you should sprinkle the area with lime afterwards. This kills most of the pathogens.

Clean the anal region thoroughly every day

Whether your pet likes it or not, the anus region must now be cleaned thoroughly every day. Frequent washing of the entire coat with a dog shampoo is also recommended. It is important that he is dried off completely afterwards. After he has done his business, you should wipe his anus with a damp cloth.

Watch out for children with infected dogs

Since children can also quickly become infected with Giardia, they should not play unsupervised with an infected dog. Your four-legged friend must not lick children under any circumstances. Hands must be washed thoroughly after cuddling.

You must never make your protégé feel marginalized by the disease.

Puppies in particular need a lot of attention. However, if they are no longer petted for reasons of hygiene or have to stay outside, this can cause disturbances in their development.

Remember that you can cuddle with your pet despite a Giardia infection. You just need to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. Your dog needs support right now.

In any case, do not scold him for making in the apartment. During giardiasis your puppy can't help it. The diarrhea is unexpected and punishment would only confuse him.

Despite the hygiene measures, try to continue living with your four-legged friend as before. This will help him the most at this moment.

Diet alone cannot eliminate Giardia. But it can contribute to a faster improvement. Carbohydrates have been proven to make the symptoms worse. You should therefore give your pet a low-carbohydrate diet and more protein instead. In any case, you should avoid food that causes additional flatulence.

A Moro carrot soup can work wonders. Even if it does not replace therapy, this food contributes to recovery. After surviving an infection, your pet's digestive system is irritated. Gentle diet can help to strengthen the stomach and intestines again.

If you want to support your dog's recovery with homeopathic remedies, I recommend Calcium carbonicum D200. It helps against stomach problems and can be used for dogs without any problems.

It is difficult to prevent a Giardia infection. But with a few measures, you can minimize the risk.

Even if your four-legged friend is not infected, you should pay close attention to hygiene. This is especially true if you have several pets. Never let your dog drink from puddles or eat feces. This can prevent infection.

Since giardiasis becomes a problem when the immune system is weakened, your pet should have as little stress as possible. You can additionally strengthen your dog's immune system with vitamins and probiotics.

A Giardia infection is nerve-wracking: both for your pet and for you as owner. The more you pay attention to hygiene, the faster this state of emergency will be over again.

It is important that your dog does not experience much of the stress. It would only put additional stress on him. Deal with him in the same way as before. He now needs at least as much attention as before, otherwise this can quickly lead to behavioral problems.

Remember: Even if the treatment is costly, there are worse things. The giardiasis will be over soon and then everything will go back to normal.