Dog and cat stool (poop) can contain Giardia germs and may make people sick even when the pet appears healthy.
Symptoms of Giardia infection in both people and pets can include diarrhea, gas, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting
. It is possible to be infected and have no signs or symptoms of illness.
How do I treat my dogs diarrhea with Giardia?
Treatment for Giardia in Dogs
Metronidazole, an antibiotic, is most often prescribed
. Fenbendazole is used often for Giardia also.
What does Giardia diarrhea look like in dogs?
The most common symptom of an active giardia infection is watery diarrhea. The diarrhea may be
greenish or yellow in color, or it might be brown, but it is always going to be liquid
. There may sometimes be blood present in a dog's stool as a result of giardia as well.
How long does it take for Giardia diarrhea to go away?
How long will symptoms last? Symptoms generally last anywhere from
2 to 6 weeks
. In people with weakened immune systems (e.g., due to illness such as HIV), symptoms may last longer.
How long does it take for Giardia to clear up in dogs?
Within
1 to 2 weeks
, your dog will likely be fully recovered from their giardia infection as long as they don't become reinfected.
What does Giardia poop look like?
Giardia infection in dogs may lead to weight loss, chronic intermittent diarrhea, and fatty stool. The stool may range from
soft to watery, often has a greenish tinge to it
, and occasionally contains blood. Infected dogs tend to have excess mucus in the feces. Vomiting may occur in some cases.
How do I know if my dog has Giardia?
Dog and cat stool (poop) can contain Giardia germs and may make people sick even when the pet appears healthy. Symptoms of Giardia infection in both people and pets can include
diarrhea, gas, abdominal discomfort, nausea, and vomiting
. It is possible to be infected and have no signs or symptoms of illness.
How do I know if my dog has intestinal parasites?
- Diarrhea, with or without blood or mucus.
- Scooting.
- Vomiting.
- Distended abdomen (belly)
- Weight loss.
- Decreased activity.
- Dull coat.
What naturally kills Giardia in dogs?
Cloves work well against parasites like giardia
. The oil in cloves is the key to their effectiveness. One study found that essential oil of cloves can inhibit the growth of parasites. It also stated the essential oil can kill almost 50% of parasites in a “time-dependent manner.”
Can dogs get rid of Giardia on their own?
Dog strains of Giardia are not known to infect cats, and cat strains are not known to infect dogs.
In most cases the infection goes away on its own
.
Can you see Giardia in stool?
If a giardia infection is present,
the parasite or its cysts can be seen when the stool is looked at under a microscope
. Evaluating 3 stool samples detects up to 90% of Giardia lamblia infections.
Can you see Giardia in dog poop?
Occasionally, the parasites may be seen on a direct smear of the feces
. If your veterinarian suspects giardiasis, a sample of stool may be analyzed for the presence of Giardia specific antigens (cell proteins).
What do you feed a dog with Giardia?
The vet will likely recommend feeding your dog
a bland food that's easy to digest and that promotes intestinal healing
. It's generally recommended that you feed your dog bland food until their stool returns to normal consistency; this typically takes anywhere from three to 10 days.
How do dogs spread Giardia?
How Is Giardia in Dogs Spread? Giardia has to be ingested by your dog in order for him to get the parasite. Your dog can get Giardia
by drinking water that has been contaminated by feces or by eating something that has been contaminated by feces, like grass
.
Why is my dog getting diarrhea at night?
Nighttime diarrhea in your dog can be a sign of something serious such as
intestinal parasites
. If your pup has been drinking water from a contaminated source, it may have contracted parasites like hookworms, roundworms, giardia, or coccidia. Young pups with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable.
Should dogs with Giardia be quarantined?
–
Quarantine a section of your yard for infected pets to urinate and defecate to prevent the spread of the parasite to healthy pets and family members
. REMEMBER: Giardia can survive in 39.2oF soil for up to 7 weeks and in 77oF soil for a week!
Can Giardia cause permanent damage in dogs?
Many dogs infected with Giardia do not get any disease. Giardiasis, the disease caused by Giardia infection, usually results in diarrhea.
Having giardiasis for a long time can cause weight loss; poor condition; and even death
.
Why won't my dogs Giardia go away?
If your dog has diarrhea that just won't go away, don't ignore it.
It could be caused by a common intestinal parasite called Giardia that is spread through the poop of infected animals
. Treatment typically involves medication (and thorough cleaning) to rid your pet and his environment of the parasite.
How common is Giardia in dogs?
In North America it has been estimated that
about 7%
of dogs carry Giardia, but most of them are not sick at all. It is less common in cats. Young animals (puppies and kittens) and those that live in shelters or with a lot of other animals are much more likely to have Giardia.
How do I treat my yard for Giardia?
Disinfect hardscape areas like patios and sidewalks with a solution of 1part chlorine bleach and 32 parts water
. One minute of exposure to the chlorine bleach solution is enough to kill the giardia.
Can a dog with Giardia be around other dogs?
Giardia outbreaks are not something our facility has encountered, but we have had reported cases on occasion.
Dogs with Giardia must steer clear of Canine to Five and any communal dog spaces until they've had a negative fecal test
.
How do vets test for Giardia?
Giardia organisms can sometimes be identified using fecal flotation, but some veterinarians prefer to use a different test, called a
SNAP test
, to screen for Giardia. The SNAP test detects Giardia antigens(proteins produced by the parasite) in the fecal material of infected pets.
When should I take my dog to the vet for diarrhea?
Take your pet to the vet immediately if they are experiencing any of the signs listed below:
Your pet is otherwise happy, but diarrhea continues more than 48 hours
. Your pet acts sick along with having diarrhea, such as being lethargic, vomiting, or loss of appetite.
What does dog poop look like with parasites?
Tapeworm: The tapeworm attaches to the wall of your dog's intestines. Dogs can get this parasite from fleas. Tapeworm segments often look like
white grains of rice
in your dog's poop. They can also look like dried rice stuck to the hair around your dog's butt, back legs, or under the tail.
How long should diarrhea last in dogs?
Usually most diarrhea will run its course within
two to four days
, although in some cases, it can last longer. If there are any other signs of illness like vomiting, loss of appetite, depression, or pain, a veterinary trip is in order.
Why does my dog have diarrhea?
In dogs,
dietary indiscretion (eating garbage or other offensive or irritating materials), or a change in diet
is a common cause of acute (sudden) diarrhea. Stress, especially following travel, boarding, or other changes in environment, can also cause acute diarrhea.
