What is Giardia?

Giardia is a parasite that lives in many different and often unexpected sources.  Your pet can be infected with Giardia simply by drinking contaminated water or by licking its paws after walking in an infected area.  Once ingested, Giardia lives in the intestines of the pet, and is returned to the environment through the pet's feces.

Giardia causes giardiasis.  This disease frequently occurs in dogs an cats, and is the most prevalent protozoal disease in humans according to Centers for Disease Control reports.  Symptoms of giardiasis in humans and pets include diarrhea, weight loss and poor weight gain despite normal appetite.  Many pets contract the disease and don't show signs of it.  However, they can pass the parasite to other animals.  Although the potential for pain in infected pets is unknown, humans with giardiasis can suffer from intense abdominal pain and cramping.

Who is at risk?

Dogs and cats are susceptible to disease caused by Giardia, especially puppies and kittens.  Their maturing immune systems often leave them unable to protect themselves from diseases.  As a result, puppies and kittens are considered among the highest risk groups.  Prevention programs should start with them.  Other pets with an increased risk of exposure include:

• Outdoor dogs/cats
• Multi-pet households
• Pets in urban neighborhoods
• Kenneled dogs/cats
• Adopted dogs/cats
• Farm dogs/cats
• Hunting dogs

Certain areas also pose a high risk of exposure for pets, including:

• Dog shows
• Parks
• Campgrounds
• Suburbs/Cities
• Beaches
• Boarding facilities
• Exercise areas
• Pools
• Playgrounds
• Sandboxes

Giardiasis is not limited to pets.  Giardia can also affect humans, and recent discoveries suggest that pet-to-human transmission is possible.  While Giardia infection is a recognized zoonotic  disease, the role that the animal assumes in human disease is not will established.

Can it be prevented?

Giardia the disease can be treated with a drug treatment, but, drug treatments do not prevent future disease.  We now have a vaccine that your pet can get, from your veterinarian, that will help prevent Giardia.  Contact your veterinarian to find out if they have this vaccine and the protocol for it.