Giardiasis

A common intestinal parasite seen mostly in puppies/dogs, giardia is not visible in the stool and is diagnosed by seeing the eggs (cysts) under a microscope or by a test kit detecting the cell proteins, a more sensitive way of detecting the parasite. Dogs can become infected when they swallow the cyst stage of the parasite which can occur from drinking contaminated water or from infected cysts in its environment. The parasite can cause watery diarrhea, however, pets can harbor giardia in the intestines without showing any clinical signs.

Treatment for Giardia is with a medication called metronidazole given for 5-7 days. A follow up test should be done at the end of treatment, and if the parasite is still present, other medications may be used.

Giardia can infect humans as well as dogs (zoonotic). Cleaning the environment is important. Fecal matter should be discarded. A dilute bleach solution ( 1:32 or 1cup bleach to 1 gallon of water) can be used to clean areas where cysts may be harboring. Giardia cysts are readily killed by sunlight or drying.