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To diagnose Canine Giardia, your vet will need to examine your dog’s fecal matter, by performing a zinc sulfate fecal floatation examination. Your dog will be positive of Canine Giardia if cysts are found there. However, there can be times that cysts do not appear in the dog’s feces, so successive examinations may be required to determine if your dog really has Canine Giardia or not. There is also a test called ELISA (enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay) that determined Giardia antigens, but is a lot more expensive than the flotation examination.
To treat Canine Giardia, vets usually prescribe fenbendazole or metronidazole, which can exterminate the Giardia trophozoites as well as the cysts. However, such de-worming drugs are not advisable for pregnant dogs or lactating dogs, so consult your vet first before taking in any medication. Right after your dog gets cured bathe him thoroughly, because he might get re-infected once again. Also, get rid of any dry fecal matter in his fur. Also, do a cleaning of the yard and the whole house and make sure no more feces are remaining which can infect your dog once again.
To prevent Canine Giardia is simple; keep your dog away from fecal matter as well as infected dogs. You can also give your dog fenbendazole in case he is infected with the Giardia trophozoite parasite to de-worm him. Today, there is also a recently-introduced vaccine to fight possible infection of Giardia and prevent it from occurring in your dog. It can be administered at 8 weeks old for your dog with additional boosters. However, it cannot be administered for dogs suspected with Giardia. This information on canine Giardia can help you recognize if there is a problem and what to do to return the dog to a very healthy condition.
So remember, if your dog has non-stop diarrhea for 48 hours, consult your vet right away, as this could be Canine Giardia.
Has this article been helpful? Please leave comments below.
Kathy Baker
says:The flagyl will stop the diarrhea temporarily but it will return! It requires specific treatment to rid your dog of the parasite or it will return. Get your dog treated properly, please.
kris z
says:frankly if your dog ever has this and is diagnosed you will never need a diagnosis again because it is obvious. keep flagyl ( fenbendazole or metronidazole) on hand and give it immediately. it usually only takes a dose or 2 for it to end.