Giardia is a microscopic parasite, giardia intestinalis, and is known to affect cats, dogs, and also humans. The parasite causes the diarrheal condition, giardiasis.

Easily spread, dogs and cats catch giardia through fecal-contaminated water, food, and soil. Given common everyday interactions with all three, infections can happen very easily. Even though the public water bowl at your local coffee shop is a kind offering in theory, it may be time to rethink your pet’s next sip.

If your pet dog or cat has been experiencing diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, flatulence and vomiting, your veterinarian may recommend tests to confirm the presence of giardia. Typically, this is done with a stool sample.

Pets should also have their stool screened every 6-12 months to look for parasites. Even if their stool is normal, they could be an asymptomatic carrier.

Giardia in cats and dogs spreads through contact with feces from an infected animal. Your pet may have come in contact with soil, water, or food which was contaminated with cysts of the intestinal parasite. It may have also come in direct contact with infected animal feces.

While dogs and cats that come in contact with this parasite are vulnerable to it, puppies and kittens are at a greater risk.

There are no over the counter drugs that can be safely given to your pet in order to treat the condition. And it is not something that will go away over time. This is why it is essential that you consult with your pet’s veterinarian.

After confirming that the animal is affected by the microbial parasite, it is likely that a broad spectrum antiparasitic will be prescribed. Additional medication may also be recommended to deal with dehydration and diarrhea. Oral medication is usually prescribed for a period of five to seven days. The doctor is likely to ask you to take some specific steps to ensure that the animal’s immediate environment is free of the parasite.

You will need to bathe your pet with an appropriate pet shampoo to ensure that its coat is clean of any trace of feces. Its bedding, litter box, toys, and water and food bowls will need to be disinfected thoroughly. Full deep cleaning is recommended on the first and final day of treatment. If possible, they should be sterilized in boiling hot water for a few minutes. This process will have to be repeated for a few days even after the course of oral medication has been completed. This is because the giardia parasite can survive for a week in room temperature.

If you have more than one pet, you will need to repeat the process for your other pet too. For some reason, kittens that are infected with the microscopic parasite seem to shed more giardia cysts in their feces than adult cats. So, if you have a kitten you will have to be extra careful about disposing of its feces safely. Do remember to wear disposable gloves while you are doing this since Giardia can, in rare cases, be passed to us from our pets. Those that are very young or immunocompromised have the biggest risk.

All hard surfaces including floors, tables and cabinet surfaces must be cleansed and disinfected. All surfaces that your pet comes in contact with must also be cleaned and sterilized. Carpets and upholstery should be vacuumed. In addition, any stagnant or standing water source that your pet has access to should be cleaned up. If your pet likes to frequent a nearby pond, it is best to restrict its visits until you are sure that the water is safe for animals. For pets that go to a day care, owners should share their concerns with the day care manager.

If you suspect that your pet has shown symptoms of Giardia, please visit your local Thrive Pet Healthcare veterinary clinic for help.