Giardia

Transmission

Giardia Giardia is a protozoa that can be transferred through direct contact with infected (stagnant) water, feces, soil, and/or food dishes. It is easy to re-infect themselves by grooming.

Symptoms

Diarrhea
Intestinal inflammation
Upset stomach
Greasy stool

Treatment

Giardia is treated with an antibiotic or anti-parasitic. Recheck fecals every 5 weeks until a negative fecal is obtained. Giardia can be very stubborn and most likely will take more then one round of medication to cure. We recommend routinely testing fecals every six months to monitor parasitic infestation.

Hygiene is very important! Since this parasite is zoonotic, it can be transferred to humans. It is very important to have proper hygiene as to not re-infect your pet or your family. Here are some easy steps to maintain proper hygiene and lessen the chance of re-infestation:

Pick up your dog or cats stool so that the parasites do not have time to get into the soil or living area. Giardia can live in the environment for weeks allowing pets to become re-infected. Dogs and cats can re-infect themselves if they come into contact with their own feces.
Wash your hands after playing with your pet or picking up their stool. Make children wash hands as well and keep them from putting their hands in their mouth.
Clean food dishes daily to prevent contamination.
Cats should have paper in their litter box for easy cleaning; boxes should be emptied daily and bleached with 10% solution.
Clean pets feet twice daily if possible as well, if fecal material gets on pets feet grooming will cause re-infestation. Wipe rear ends and feet after defecating.
Confine the infected pet to a small room such as a bathroom to prevent transmission to other household pets.

**Wash bedding and fabric toys with bleach detergent and bathe your pet at beginning of the treatment for Giardia.

Human Infection

Humans can contract Giardia from their pet when conditions are not kept clean. Make sure to wash hands after contact with pet or pets feces and before eating.

	15 Jewett Lane Fredericksburg, VA 22406 Office 540.286.2855 Fax 540.286.2655 info@hartwoodanimalhospital.com

Home About Us Our Mission Newsletters Services Wildlife Forms Map Photos Links	Giardia Transmission Giardia is a protozoa that can be transferred through direct contact with infected (stagnant) water, feces, soil, and/or food dishes. It is easy to re-infect themselves by grooming. Symptoms Diarrhea Intestinal inflammation Upset stomach Greasy stool Treatment Giardia is treated with an antibiotic or anti-parasitic. Recheck fecals every 5 weeks until a negative fecal is obtained. Giardia can be very stubborn and most likely will take more then one round of medication to cure. We recommend routinely testing fecals every six months to monitor parasitic infestation. Hygiene is very important! Since this parasite is zoonotic, it can be transferred to humans. It is very important to have proper hygiene as to not re-infect your pet or your family. Here are some easy steps to maintain proper hygiene and lessen the chance of re-infestation: Pick up your dog or cats stool so that the parasites do not have time to get into the soil or living area. Giardia can live in the environment for weeks allowing pets to become re-infected. Dogs and cats can re-infect themselves if they come into contact with their own feces. Wash your hands after playing with your pet or picking up their stool. Make children wash hands as well and keep them from putting their hands in their mouth. Clean food dishes daily to prevent contamination. Cats should have paper in their litter box for easy cleaning; boxes should be emptied daily and bleached with 10% solution. Clean pets feet twice daily if possible as well, if fecal material gets on pets feet grooming will cause re-infestation. Wipe rear ends and feet after defecating. Confine the infected pet to a small room such as a bathroom to prevent transmission to other household pets. **Wash bedding and fabric toys with bleach detergent and bathe your pet at beginning of the treatment for Giardia. Human Infection Humans can contract Giardia from their pet when conditions are not kept clean. Make sure to wash hands after contact with pet or pets feces and before eating.