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Video: Giardia In Dogs: Symptoms And Treatment
2024 Author: Riley Dean | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 02:21
Among the most common parasitic diseases, giardiasis is especially prominent. Its causative agents are unicellular microorganisms Giardia (Lamblia) canis (hence the other name - giardiosis), which are localized in the small intestine and cause significant damage to the entire body. Giardiasis in dogs occurs both as a carrier, and in the form of acute or chronic diseases that affect internal organs.
Content
- Symptoms of giardiasis in dogs
- Infection routes
- Analyzes
- How to treat giardia in dogs
- The best drugs against lamblia
- Additional funds
- Output
Symptoms of giardiasis in dogs
The disease often has no pronounced signs, and the symptoms encountered are nonspecific, which complicates the diagnosis. The presence of a problem can be detected by chance, during a routine inspection. The disease is rarely severe and becomes more pronounced in less than half of the infected animals.
The clinical picture with giardiasis:
Stage of flow | Signs | The degree of damage to the body |
Stage 1 | Infection proceeds unnoticed, there are no pronounced symptoms | Cysts get inside, where they lose their shell. Trophozoites appear, starting active reproduction. |
Stage 2 |
Nonspecific symptoms appear: - poor appetite; - lethargy; - allergic manifestations in the form of itching and rash; - digestive disorders; - white coating on the tongue; - increased salivation. |
The intestine is completely affected, lamblia parasitizes on its walls. Parasites enter the bloodstream and spread to other organs. |
Stage 3 | She is in remission and no symptoms of the disease appear. | The animal is emaciated by the presence of parasites. It spreads cysts into the environment, infecting other dogs. |
You can suspect the signs of lamblia by the following symptoms:
- occasional diarrhea followed by constipation;
- decreased physical activity;
- bouts of vomiting;
- unstable emotional state.
As the disease progresses, symptoms become more pronounced, but the owners may confuse them with a reaction to gastrointestinal problems or allergies.
Giardiasis is also capable of taking an acute form, characterized by such signs as:
- pain in the dog in the abdomen;
- persistent diarrhea (with no blood or mucus in the stool);
- decreased appetite;
- flatulence (seething in the stomach).
In the chronic course of the disease, the skin of the animal begins to fade, hair loss increases.
Owners of an infected pet can also get giardia from a dog. In humans, giardiasis is similar and can be difficult to detect.
Infection routes
The causative agents of giardiasis are found in two forms:
- trophozoites - appear during the period of active reproduction inside the body to carriers;
- cysts are a temporary form characterized by the presence of a strong shell that protects parasites from external influences.
Infection with parasites occurs orally: cysts enter the dog through the mouth. This can happen in the following ways:
- Poor quality water. Giardia in the form of cysts are resistant to disinfectants, in particular to chlorine. Therefore, ordinary tap water can become a source of infection if it is not boiled first.
- Contaminated feces. Some dogs have a habit of eating other people's feces. If the animal was infected with giardiasis, then there will certainly be cysts in its feces, which will thus enter the dog's body.
- Contact with infected objects. Parasites in the form of cysts can survive for months in cold water or on the ground. It is enough for a dog to sniff some object seeded with cysts, and this can already cause infection.
Analyzes
The disease cannot be diagnosed by only one set of symptoms, therefore, the veterinarian requires a set of actions necessary for the correct diagnosis. This happens in the following sequence:
- Taking anamnesis. Based on complaints from the owner and stories of symptoms, initial guesses can be made about the causes of the problems.
- Inspection of the animal. During the examination, soreness in the abdomen, dull hair, excessive salivation, etc. may be detected.
- Stool analysis. It is in the feces that cysts live, which can be seen under a microscope. Feces are taken repeatedly with an interval of several days, and then a week later to confirm the result.
- Blood test. A blood test for giardia in dogs is considered the most effective diagnostic method, with the help of special instruments it is possible to detect the presence of antibodies aimed at destroying lamblia, which will indicate the presence of parasites.
- Intestinal endoscopy. This procedure is an examination of internal organs using an endoscope. With the help of a special device, the doctor gets the opportunity to examine the intestines and duodenum. The data obtained demonstrate the degree of damage to internal organs, the homogeneity and integrity of the intestinal walls, on which trophozoites parasitize. With this, you can choose the optimal treatment regimen for giardiasis, since the drugs are selected based on the existing internal injuries.
How to treat giardia in dogs
The best drugs against lamblia
Treatment involves the use of antiprotozoal drugs, i.e. drugs necessary to eliminate unicellular protozoa. The following medications for lamblia for dogs are usually prescribed:
- Metronidazole. It is a broad spectrum antibiotic that comes in the form of a tablet or solution for injection. In the form of tablets, it is given to the animal at the rate of 15 mg per 1 kg every 12 hours. The course of treatment is a week. The drug has a wide range of severe side effects, but it has good treatment results. Metronidazole is prohibited for pregnant and lactating females.
- Endogard. Anthelmintic drug showing an effect against unicellular parasites. It is produced in pills in the form of seeds, with different dosages. Small dogs (weight up to 2.5 kg) need Endogard 2.5, animals weighing 3-10 kg - Endogard 10, large breeds (from 10 kg) - Endogard 30. Take once a day for 3 days.
Additional funds
Treatment of lamblia in dogs is carried out with drugs of a different spectrum of action that can complement the effect of the main treatment. These include:
- Drontal. An anthelmintic drug that has practically no side effects. Available in the form of a bone for dogs weighing up to 10 kg and tablets for animals weighing more than 10 kg. With single use, it has little effect on lamblia, but with complex treatment it shows good results.
- Fenbendazole. Anthelmintic agent, which can be combined with Metronidazole to enhance the effect, since the drug is less toxic. Available in the form of tablets, suspension, paste and powder. The dosage is 50 mg / kg body weight. The therapy lasts 10-14 days.
- Lactoferon. Food supplement for dogs designed to restore intestinal microflora after antibiotics. It has an immunostimulating function, which is necessary to restore an exhausted animal. Apply 1 tablet per 10 kg of weight. It is consumed with food for 5-10 days.
Output
Giardiasis is a secretive, but no less dangerous disease from this. To prevent it, it is necessary to regularly bring the dog for examination, carefully monitor its diet, record all changes in appearance and health. If you have any symptoms, you must show the animal to a doctor, otherwise it will not only suffer from parasites, but also pose a threat to other animals and people.
Does your dog often swim in the pond or drink water from a muddy puddle? Leave your answer in the comments.
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