Giardia är en vanlig parasit som lätt kan överföras mellan hundar, katter och människor. Det orsakar bland annat diarré och kräkningar, men lyckligtvis finns det några åtgärder som husdjursföräldrar kan vidta för att skydda sina valpar från infektion.
Här är allt du behöver veta om orsaker, symtom och behandling av Giardiasis hos hundar för att hjälpa din älskade att vara säker.
Proffstips :Vissa husdjursförsäkringar täcker tillstånd som Giardia, kennelhosta och parvo så länge tillståndet inte redan existerar, alla obligatoriska eller rekommenderade vaccinationer är aktuella och förebyggande åtgärder har vidtagits.
Innehållsförteckning:
Giardia, även kallad Giardia duodenalis eller Giardia intestinalis i veterinärmedicinska termer, är en encellig parasit som förökar sig i tarmarna hos däggdjur, groddjur och fåglar .
Det finns olika former av Giardia-parasiten - cystor och trofozoiter - men båda orsakar liknande effekter hos hundar. Trofozoiter är mogna parasiter som lever i tunntarmen där de så småningom blir cystor, som fälls ut i det infekterade djurets avföring. Cystorna kan överleva i veckor eller månader i olika miljöer, även i fuktiga eller kalla förhållanden.
Hundar kan bli infekterade med Giardia vid förtäring av parasiten. De kan äta något som är förorenat av avföring (gräs, pinnar, etc.) eller dricka förorenat vatten (pölar). Hundar kan vara notoriskt bra på att tugga på alla möjliga föremål, så risken för Giardia-infektion är ganska hög.
Giardiainfektion hos hundar kan också spridas av valpar som leker och rullar runt i förorenad jord, eller genom att slicka sin kropp efter kontakt med en förorenad yta (hundlåda, kattlåda, etc.).
När Giardia väl kommer in i hundens tarmar kan parasiten spridas vidare - även om ditt husdjur inte visar några infektionssymptom. Detta kan vara ganska problematiskt, särskilt för dem med flera husdjur i hemmet. Överföringar mellan arter är sällsynta, men parasiten kan lätt överföras från en hund till en annan. Därför, om en av dina hundar får diagnosen Giardia, rådfråga din veterinär om de försiktighetsåtgärder du måste vidta för att skydda dina andra valpar.
All breeds are at risk of Giardia, but older dogs and puppies are at increased risk due to their weak or compromised immune systems . Giardiasis is also more common among animals confined in groups, such as boarding facilities or kennels.
Giardia is a zoonotic parasite, which means that it can be transmitted to humans, so you should always be careful when handling your pup's feces and wash your hands thoroughly thereafter. Also, refrain from drinking water from rivers, streams, and creeks with purifying it first. The parasite can be present in soil and on food, therefore it's wise to clean all produce before cooking.
Pets with Giardiasis usually respond well to treatment and don’t suffer lasting consequences. However, Giardiasis is very dangerous for animals with compromised immunity , including younger and older dogs
Not all dogs experience symptoms of Giardia infection, but it can be very unpleasant for those that do. The Giardia parasite obstructs dogs' ability to properly absorb nutrients, electrolytes, and water, resulting in diarrhea . The diarrhea can be mild or explosive, and intermittent or continuous, but puppies typically get it the worst.
Failure to diagnose dog Giardia can delay treatment, leading to sudden weight loss, dehydration, and the development of more serious health concerns - in severe cases, even death.
Some dogs are asymptomatic, while others might present the following Giardia symptoms:
If your beloved pet has a secondary infection or an immunosuppressive disease, the symptoms might be more intense. Be sure to talk to your veterinarian about an appropriate treatment plan as soon as possible.
The diagnosis of Giardia can be tricky because the cysts are shed in the feces intermittently. The standard diagnostic procedures, like complete blood count, urinalysis, and serum biochemistry will likely show normal results. Any abnormality present might result from lack of electrolytes due to dehydration caused by diarrhea - not the parasite directly. Your vet may therefore recommend additional tests to rule out possible conditions associated with your dog's symptoms.
The tests that give an accurate diagnosis of Giardia infection include:
Your vet might recommend a combination of tests before a final diagnosis is made.
Proffstips: If you notice any symptoms, the value of pet insurance shines during diagnostic coverage. Many plans provide reimbursement for the cost of testing, which is the only way to determine whether your dog has a Giardia infection or a larger health concern. Don’t attempt to check for cysts in your dog’s feces; they’re invisible to the human eye.
(Image source:Hospital Veterinari Glories)
Giardia infection is known to lead to digestive motility disorders and can induce inflammatory bowel disease, so all pets who contract the parasite should be treated by a vet .
Typically, the best treatment for Giardia is oral medicine, usually antiparasitic drugs and/or antibiotics that you can administer at home. The length of treatment depends on the drug chosen by the vet but typically lasts three to 10 days.
Your vet will also recommend bathing with a prescription shampoo on a regular basis to remove cysts and fecal matter from your dog’s fur and skin. Pay special attention to the hind legs, as this is where the cysts are most likely to be.
If your dog has severe dehydration caused by explosive diarrhea, they might be hospitalized to reduce the amount of stool movement before treatment starts. If your pet is vomiting persistently, stick to a bland diet once the vomiting is resolved.
With proper treatment, you can get rid of the parasite within two weeks. Be sure to follow your vet’s recommendations closely and take your dog to all follow-up appointments as requested.
All furniture, carpet, and toys that might have had contact with the infected animal must be cleaned to ensure there are no cysts lingering around the house.
First, scrub hard surfaces like floors, tables, crates, and trash cans with soap, then disinfect using bleach and water (3/4 cup of bleach per one gallon of water).
Clean upholstered furniture and carpet should be cleaned with regular detergent and disinfect by steam cleaning the area at 212°F for one minute (or 158°F for five minutes).
Other items like toys, pet beds, and clothing should be cleaned and sanitized on a daily basis the dog's treatment for Giardia infection. Dishwasher-safe food and water bowls can be cleaned in a dishwasher that has a dry cycle. If you don’t have a dishwasher, submerge these items in boiling water for at least one minute.
Clothing, bedding, and linens can be washed in the washing machine and then left to air dry thoroughly. If you have a clothes dryer, dry the clothes on the highest heat setting for half an hour.
If your pet is taking medication, wash linens frequently until a few days after the last dose of medication is given. Giardia’s survival depends on several factors, so it’s best to consult your vet for further advice.
When it comes to Giardia prevention, a little effort can go a long way. Even though it’s not always possible to control every aspect of your pup’s environment, there are certain things you can do to prevent them from catching the disease.
The most important thing is to reduce the chances of your dog drinking from contaminated water by ensuring access to fresh and clean water at all times. Before you take your pup for a walk, make sure they’ve had plenty of water or consider bringing some along. If your water source is known to contain Giardia, consider boiling your pup’s water or buying a filter that’s proven to remove the parasitic cysts from the water.
Keep an eye on your furry pal while they’re out, making sure that they don’t eat anything off the ground. Avoid areas where there may be large amounts of dog feces in the environment and be careful to avoid leaving your pup at group facilities that do not thoroughly sanitize the grounds.
Finally, pay attention to general hygiene. Pick up after your pup whenever they go potty to practice good manners and prevent the spread of Giardia in environment.
All pups, even those without diarrhea and those on year-round parasite preventives, should have at least one or two fecal samples performed each year to screen for gastrointestinal parasites, including Giardia.
If you’re concerned that your pup might have caught the parasite, get in touch with your veterinarian. They will help you determine if your pet needs to be examined and can provide more specific tips on how to prevent Giardia in your dog for future reference.
