When exploring the great outdoors with your dog, a health threat—Giardia—often lurks in bodies of water. This microscopic protozoan parasite can cause various gastrointestinal (GI) problems, leading to discomfort and potential health issues for your furry companion. Our Southern Crossing Animal Hospital team explains Giardia, infection signs, and prevention tactics so you and your dog can continue enjoying Mother Nature without the risk of contracting this disease. 

What is Giardia in dogs?

If your dog ingests contaminated water, food, or feces, they can contract Giardia. The parasite commonly inhabits environments where sanitation is poor or many pets live in close contact. Dogs can become infected by drinking water from streams, ponds, ditches, or communal pet bowls contaminated with Giardia cysts. If your pet becomes infected, they develop the disease giardiasis, which can cause severe adverse conditions, especially in puppies and in dogs whose health is already compromised. 

What are giardiasis signs in dogs?

Dogs’ Giardia infection signs vary, but diarrhea is most common. An infected dog’s diarrhea can be intermittent or chronic and may be accompanied by other GI distress signs. In some cases, a dog is an asymptomatic Giarda carrier, meaning they show no illness signs but can still spread the parasite to people and pets in the home. Your dog may have giardiasis if they exhibit any of the following signs:

  • Diarrhea — Giardia-infected pets often have foul-smelling, greasy, and frothy stools.
  • Vomiting — Vomiting is less common than diarrhea, but some infected pets also experience bouts of vomiting. 
  • Weight loss — Because Giardia causes nutritional malabsorption, dogs with giardiasis can become malnourished. 
  • Lethargy — Lethargy is common in infected pets.
  • Dehydration — Dogs can rapidly become dehydrated if they have prolonged diarrhea and vomiting.
  • Abdominal discomfort — Stomach and intestinal inflammation are indicated by whining, restlessness, or a hunched posture. 

Giardia diagnosis in dogs and treatment options

If Giardia infection is suspected, our Southern Crossing Animal Hospital veterinary team will typically perform a fecal exam in which we take a dog’s feces sample and examine it under a microscope to look for Giardia cysts. Advanced diagnostic methods include fecal antigen tests, which detect specific proteins associated with Giardia, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, which identify the parasite’s deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Our team treats a dog’s giardiasis using a combination of medication and environmental management, including:

  • Medication — The most commonly prescribed drugs for Giardia are metronidazole and fenbendazole. These medications effectively eliminate the parasite from the pet’s system. Treatment duration can vary but typically lasts several days to a week. 
  • Hydration — Ensuring your dog remains hydrated is crucial, especially if they experience diarrhea and vomiting. In severe cases, intravenous (IV) fluids may be necessary.
  • Sanitation — If your dog has giardiasis, you must clean your home, including pet bowls and bedding, to prevent reinfection and infection spread. Our team will recommend a disinfectant that is effective against Giardia cysts. 

Preventing Giardia in dogs

Prevention is critical to reducing your furry pal’s risk of contracting Giardia. To minimize your dog’s giardiasis risk, follow these tips:

  • Provide clean water — Always provide fresh, clean water for your dog and prevent them from drinking out of puddles, streams, or other outdoor water sources.
  • Practice good hygiene — Practice good hygiene and infection reduction by promptly picking up and disposing of pet feces and regularly cleaning their living areas, linens, and toys.
  • Schedule routine wellness exams — Routine veterinary exams and testing can help detect Giardia and other parasitic infections early, allowing for timely and successful treatment.

Giardia is a manageable condition that requires vigilance and prompt treatment for your four-legged friend’s health and safety. You can protect your dog from this parasitic infection by learning about the causes, recognizing the signs, and following appropriate treatment and prevention measures. If you suspect your furry pal has giardiasis, contact our Southern Crossing Animal Hospital team.