Cases of canine Giardia in the Grey-Bruce area are on the rise, with local veterinarians reporting an increase in the number of cases they have been treating over the last couple of months.
Giardia is commonly found all over North America. It’s a nasty little parasite that can be difficult to completely get rid of. Many pet owners still don’t know what Giardia is, how it is contracted, and how to avoid it – and their dog could be spreading infection to the rest of the neighbourhood without realizing it.
What is Giardia
Giardia is a gastrointestinal parasite that infects the small intestine. It is quite common throughout most of the United States and Canada. Unlike most parasites, it actually thrives in cold, damp conditions. It can also live longer in the environment than most others. This means Giardia can be contracted at any time of the year, even during frigid Canadian winters.
How is Giardia Contracted?
Giardia is contracted when a pet consumes water that has been contaminated by the feces of another infected pet. It is most commonly found where large numbers of dogs frequent, such as dog parks. Once Giardia is contracted, the infected canine then begins passing microscopic cysts through their stools. If another dog then comes into contact with these cysts, the parasite continues to spread.
Giardia cysts can live for several months in the right conditions. They can thrive anywhere that an infected pooch has previously defecated, including puddles, ponds, and ditches. It is extremely difficult to eliminate Giardia cysts in soft places, such as grass and on the soft ground at parks.
What are the Symptoms of Giardia?
Giardia can be very difficult to diagnose, for several reasons. First of all, there is no definitive test that completely confirms Giardia. An infected pooch can also go a year or more without showing any symptoms at all. A stool sample can sometimes diagnose Giardia, however cysts are shed intermittently. This means they won’t be present in every sample, even if your dog has been infected.
The most common symptoms of Giardia are:
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Diarrhea
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Vomiting
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Lethargy
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Weight Loss
Oftentimes, when a dog is showing any of these symptoms, they’re easily mistaken for food sensitivities or allergies, contact with something rotten, canine colds, or more. For this reason, it is advised to have your dog’s stool tested twice a year for any parasites, including Giardia.
How is Giardia Treated?
Thankfully, the treatment for Giardia is quite simple. The veterinarian who has made the diagnosis will prescribe medication that usually lasts for 7-10 days. The toughest part of eliminating Giardia comes on the final day, when your pooch needs to be fully bathed and your home needs to be disinfected.
Treatment for Giardia is usually successful, however in some cases it may become chronic. When this happens, a strict disinfecting and cleaning schedule will have to be implemented in the home. If you believe this is happening to your pooch, talk to a veterinarian or pet health expert about how to properly eliminate the parasite.
Giardia is a little-known parasite that is making a big impact in our community. More pups than ever before are affected, yet many owners do not even realize their pet is carrying it. Being a good pet owner means being proactive to protect other pups in our community, so please consider having your dog’s stools tested at least twice a year.
Brandon Forder – also known as The Pet Expert – is vice-president of Canadian Pet Connection, a family-owned and -operated business in Meaford. He has over twenty-five years’ experience specializing in pet nutrition, behaviour, and healthy pet lifestyles. Canadian Pet Connection is an industry leader committed to providing their clients with the highest levels of personal, attentive service. Learn more at www.CanadianPetConnection.ca.
