Giardia is transmitted when an animal ingests cysts shed by infected animals or humans. These cysts are acquired from fecal-contaminated water, food, or inanimate objects.
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. But if diarrhea is severe or becomes chronic, then medical attention is required. Zoonosis, meaning transmission of Giardia from pet to human, is a concern commonly cited as a reason to persist with chronic or repetitive treatment. Despite your pet possibly not having any obvious signs of illness, many veterinarians will generally treat a pet with a single course of therapy to see if it can be eliminated it from the stool.
I think that once-off treatment is okay. They had diarrhea the first time they presented, we diagnosed Giardia and treated it, and the darn thing is still there but NOW the diarrhea is completely resolved.
In general I usually instruct the veterinarian in those cases to treat once more and then stop, even if the pet is still positive for Giardia on a routine fecal screening. I think this is okay because I see many young pets who have no gastrointestinal signs who eventually eliminate the organism from their gut without our intervention. Human infections are usually acquired from other humans want to wash your hands after you've wiped? Thank you! Fortunately, transmission to people from dogs and cats appears to be rare.
Giardia also are classified into collections based on their infectivity towards other animals or humans. The collections of Giardia that your dog or cat may be carrying may not be infective to you, so breath a collective sigh of relief! There is little direct evidence of transmission of Giardia from pets to people naturally.
Accordingly, healthy pets positive for Giardia are not considered significant human health risks for HIV-infected people by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Is there absolutely no risk to humans? No, we can't say that because the risk is not absolute zero. It is reasonable to err on the side of caution by treating a Giardia infection initially when your pet has diarrhea to reduce potential spread to other pets, and less likely to their human owner s.
It can only be transmitted by ingesting cysts from the feces of an infected animal or person. Therefore, preventing stool from contaminating water, food, and yourself is the best way to reduce its spread.
Basically, try not to eat your pet's poop, appetizing as it may sound! Recommendations to reduce spread of the organism include:. As a fellow dog and cat owner, I can understand the concern we may have if our pet is diagnosed with something like Giardia.
If your pet suddenly develops diarrhea, your veterinarian can run several different tests if Giardia is suspected. Thankfully, most cases do not make people or animals sick at all. If it does, it will usually appear one to three weeks after the initial infection, and usually the pet has watery diarrhea for a few days. Some dogs and cats may have subclinical infections, meaning they may be passing it in their stool but have no noticeable signs of disease themselves. The CAPC suggests testing only symptomatic dogs and cats.
So what happens if your veterinarian diagnoses Giardia in your pet with sudden diarrhea? In particular, people with immunodeficiency, such as AIDS or cancer, or who are going through chemotherapy, ought to exercise extreme care, specifically when handling feces or after administering medications. After you are sure that Giardia is not a preexisting issue, good hygiene and easy precautions can help a lot.
Bring your own water and a dish along for your pet dog whenever you are out for a long walk. Keep their water and food dishes clean, along with all toys and accessories. An annual stool test on your furry pet is a good idea too.
This article provides a summary view of some aspects you need to know about pets and how to care for a kitten. We recommend you take the time to talk in detail with one of our licensed veterinarians. They will provide the best suggestions and strategies for your pet.
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Request an appointment today! Request Appointment. Close Font Resize. Washing your hands after handling dog poop will reduce the already low risk even further and is also a good idea in general. Giardia in humans is commonly transmitted through drinking water, not by our pets. Avoid drinking contaminated water, especially while traveling, and consider buying a water filter if your water source is known to contain the parasite.
Giardia can also be present on food and in soil, so wash all produce before eating and wash your hands after working with dirt. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to help prevent Giardia in dogs. For more information about this disease, talk to your vet. Compare Breeds Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side. Dog Name Finder Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration. Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid.
Additional Resources AKC. Clubs Offering: Training Classes. By Anna Burke May 19, 4 Minutes. May 19, 4 Minutes. What Is Giardia? How Is Giardia in Dogs Spread? What Does Giardia in Dogs Do? Symptoms of Giardia in Dogs The best way to determine whether your dog has Giardia or another condition is to call your vet.
These symptoms include: Diarrhea Weight loss Failure to gain weight Vomiting Dehydration Poor coat appearance Treatment for Giardia in Dogs If you notice that your dog is having diarrhea, call your vet. Preventing Giardia in Dogs An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, the saying goes, and this is certainly true of Giardia. Is Giardia Contagious to Humans?
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