Owner's Guide to Giardia in Dogs

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     An infection of giardia in dogs results in a condition known as giardiasis. They are one-celled parasites called protozoa that infect the small intestine. You may be wondering how your dog could be infected with this parasite.

Transmission

The most common method of transmission is through consuming water containing infective cysts. Also, dogs that are infected with these parasites pass infective cysts out through their stool. Your dog can be infected if he comes into contact with the infected stool. These cysts can also be transmitted if your dog consumes contaminated food.

Symptoms

Giardia in dogs interferes with normal digestion so your dog won't receive nutrients from the food that he eats. This will cause him to appear lethargic and begin to lose weight. The most common sign of this disease is diarrhea, ranging from mild to severe. It can also occur either periodically or frequently.

Diagnosis

In order to determine if your dog is infected with these parasites, the veterinarian will need to analyze a sample. A stool sample can be collected after a bowel movement or a swab can be taken of the rectum. Since there is a possibility of a false negative, multiple samples need to be taken a few days apart. In some cases, the vet will elect to try to diagnose the disease via a blood test.

Treatment

There are various medications that can be used to treat giardia in dogs. One of the more effective drugs is Metronidazole. It is taken over a course of five days and will eradicate the parasites from your dog's body. Other medications can be given to kill these protozoa, but they are less effective and may have negative side effects.