{"id":196,"date":"2017-03-09T18:09:46","date_gmt":"2017-03-10T00:09:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/beckeranimalhospital.net\/blog\/?p=196"},"modified":"2017-03-13T14:14:42","modified_gmt":"2017-03-13T19:14:42","slug":"giardia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beckeranimalhospital.net\/blog\/giardia\/","title":{"rendered":"Giardia  &#8211;  It&#8217;s a strain on everyone"},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><u><b> What is it?<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-199 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/beckeranimalhospital.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/giardia.jpg\" alt=\"giardia trophozoite\" width=\"448\" height=\"128\" \/><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Giardiasis is an intestinal infection of animals. It i<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">s caused by a protozoan parasite called <i>Giardia intestinalis.<\/i> These single-celled parasites are not to be confused with more commonly known intestinal parasites; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merckvetmanual.com\/digestive-system\/gastrointestinal-parasites-of-small-animals\/roundworms-in-small-animals\">roundworms<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merckvetmanual.com\/digestive-system\/gastrointestinal-parasites-of-small-animals\/hookworms-in-small-animals\">hookworms<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merckvetmanual.com\/digestive-system\/gastrointestinal-parasites-of-small-animals\/tapeworms-in-small-animals\">tapeworms<\/a>. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><u><b>How do pets get it?<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-208 \" src=\"https:\/\/beckeranimalhospital.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/giardia_process.png\" alt=\"Giardia Life Cycle\" width=\"698\" height=\"636\" \/><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Giardia, in all life stages, is too small to be seen without a microscope. The infective stage of Giardia is the cyst, which is passed in the feces of infected wildlife and domestic animals. When an animal swallows the Giardia cysts, they enter the intestinal tract, causing infection. <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><u><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-229\" src=\"https:\/\/beckeranimalhospital.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/Giardia_cyst.png\" alt=\"Giardia Cyst\" width=\"241\" height=\"162\" \/><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">There are many ways pets can ingest these cysts. Here are a few: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Eating feces<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Stepping in feces and licking their paws<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Eating contaminated grass <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Drinking standing water<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><u><b>What are the symptoms?<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Fortunately, even though the infection rate is high in cats and dogs, clinical disease is less common. Some animals infected with Giardia may show no clinical signs. When symptoms do arise they may include digestive upset, usually diarrhea and\/or vomiting. Severe cases of untreated diarrhea and vomiting may lead to dehydration and more serious disease. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">In the last 6 months, Becker Animal Hospital has diagnosed the infection in 50 pets! <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-203 \" style=\"text-align: center;\" src=\"https:\/\/beckeranimalhospital.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/giardiadog.png\" alt=\"Giardia Dog Straining to Defecate\" width=\"399\" height=\"289\" \/><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><u><b>How is it diagnosed?<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Most often a microscopic examination of fecal material is used to diagnose Giardia. Occasionally the infection may be difficult to confirm because animals may not always shed the organism in their fecal material. In this case a blood test is used to confirm infection.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><u><b>What&#8217;s the Treatment:<\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><u><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright wp-image-231\" src=\"https:\/\/beckeranimalhospital.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/flagyl.jpg\" alt=\"Metronidazole flagyl\" width=\"113\" height=\"113\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.beckeranimalhospital.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/flagyl.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/www.beckeranimalhospital.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/flagyl-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 113px) 100vw, 113px\" \/><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">The most common medication used to treat Giardia is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.merckvetmanual.com\/pharmacology\/antibacterial-agents\/nitroimidazoles\">metronidazole<\/a>. It is usually given by mouth for 7-10 days. If the infection is persistent other medications may be added and treatment may continue for longer than on<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">e week.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Giardia in pets should be treated as a potentially communicable (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/onehealth\/basics\/zoonotic-diseases.html\">zoonotic<\/a>) disease. It is not known <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">for certain if Giardia from pets directly infects humans, however, the same strains of Giardia have been known to infect dogs, cats and humans. Therefore, good hygiene should be observed when interacting with an infected animal and when cleaning up fecal material. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">Thorough cleaning of the environment may help to decrease opportunities for reinfection. The cysts are sensitive to bleach dilutions (1 cup of bleach to 2 gallons of water). Cysts are also sensitive to heat and drying. Cold weather is no match for giardia cysts. It can live in 8\u00b0F!\u00a0 The protective shell of the cyst allows Giardia to survive f<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><u><b><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-232\" src=\"https:\/\/beckeranimalhospital.net\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/03\/a8287e209a0cd87790395119b751a167_cleaning-bucket-sponge-water-bucket-and-sponge-clipart_347-425.jpeg\" alt=\"bucket and sponge\" width=\"82\" height=\"100\" \/><\/b><\/u><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">or long periods of time.<br \/>\n<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">All infected areas should be cleaned and dried well. Food bowls, bedding, toys and litter boxes should be washed with hot water. Bathing the pet may also be helpful during the course of treatment as well as picking up any fecal material present in the yard. It is important to reduce the chances of reinfection.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>Important Points:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\">Be sure to give any medications as prescribed; ending medications early may cause a chronic Giardia infection.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\">Watch for signs of weakness, instability, appetite loss.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\">Remember to use proper hygiene, wash bedding and bowls <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\">especially in multiple pet households<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\">Avoid allowing animals to drink untreated water.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\">A fecal exam should be done at least once per year, even if your pet appears healthy.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p align=\"LEFT\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\"><b>When to call Becker Animal Hospital:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\">If the condition is not improving:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\">your pet continues to have diarrhea or if the diarrhea becomes more severe<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\">If your pet develops further digestive disorders:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\">vomiting, not eating, weight loss, abnormal stool<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\">If your pet has had a reaction to medications or exhibits abnormal behavior.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>For more information on Giardia:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/parasites\/giardia\/\">CDC &#8211; The Center For Disease Control<\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veterinarypartner.com\/Content.plx?P=A&amp;S=0&amp;C=0&amp;A=2386\">Veterinary Partner <\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n\t<!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --><br \/>\t<\/style>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"JUSTIFY\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is it? Giardiasis is an intestinal infection of animals. It is caused by a protozoan parasite called Giardia intestinalis. These single-celled parasites are not to be confused with more commonly known intestinal parasites; roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms. How do pets get it? Giardia, in all life stages, is too small to be seen without [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[76,41,9,79,71,40,8,82,74,70,80,77,78,81,84,72,68,75,73,85,32,69,83],"class_list":["post-196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-becker-animal-hospital-news","tag-bloody","tag-cat","tag-cats","tag-cyst","tag-diarrhea","tag-dog","tag-dogs","tag-fecal","tag-feces","tag-giardia","tag-giardia-cyst","tag-giardia-intestinalis","tag-giardiasis","tag-lamblia","tag-metronidazole","tag-mucus","tag-parasites","tag-poop","tag-stool","tag-trophozoite","tag-vet","tag-worms","tag-zoonotic"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Giardia - What is it? 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