Does your pet have diarrhea or intermittent diarrhea that does not go away? If you answered yes, then your pet may have Giardia. Giardia is a microscopic parasite that is highly contagious called Giardiasis, and it spreads quickly.
Are There Other Symptoms?
Yes, other symptoms may include:
- Gas
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Gas
- Abdominal Discomfort
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
Giardia can be found in soil, food, or water bodies like creeks, ponds, puddles, or other bodies of water that have been contaminated with poop from an animal that has Giardia. Your pet can get Giardiasis from:
- Drinking contaminated water
- Animals housed in crowded conditions
- Exposure to contaminated soil
- Contact with infected poop
Suspect Giardia?
I think that my pet might have Giardia, what do I do?
The first thing to do is to make an appointment with your veterinarian who will be able to determine if your pet is infected and guide you on how to treat it. If you have other pets at home, then your veterinarian will advise you on possible treatment for them.
If your pet is infected, then it is good to:
- Remove poop from the yard or litter box right away
- Remove any standing water in your yard
- Bathe your pet to remove any poop that may be in the coat from having diarrhea
- Clean your house well
- Clean bowls and crates daily until stool sample show that the pet is clear from Giardia
- Wash and dry blankets, cloth toys, or other washables at the highest temperature possible to sanitize them
Although rare, you could catch Giardia from your pet. To be safe always wash your hands after managing your pet’s poop, petting, or other contact with your pet until your pet no longer has Giardia.
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