Giardia is one of the most common intestinal parasites in dogs. It is a single-celled parasite (protozoan) that can live in your dog’s intestines. Although it rarely happens, humans can also become infected with the Giardia parasite. Therefore, be especially mindful of your own hygiene if your pet is affected by Giardia.
Giardia is spread through the feces of infected animals. Dogs can also become infected by ingesting the parasite orally, for example by drinking contaminated water or licking their paws. Once ingested, the parasite multiplies in the intestines. The incubation period—meaning the time between infection and the first symptoms—is approximately 5 to 16 days. Infected animals carry the parasite and can contaminate the environment.
Most animals with Giardia show no symptoms. If your dog does show symptoms, signs may include inconsistent stool, diarrhea (often with mucus and blood), abdominal cramps, lethargy, weight loss, and decreased appetite.
Giardia can be detected in the stool, but it is often not found with a standard fecal test. At Worm&Co, we test for Giardia antigens with an additional diagnostic test. If the fecal test shows your dog is infected with Giardia, we will provide you with a personalized treatment plan. This way, your dog’s health comes first, and unnecessary deworming is avoided. Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions; we are happy to help.
Giardia parasites can survive for a long time outside your dog. The colder and more humid the environment, the longer the parasite remains infectious. In water below 10 °C, they can survive for up to 3 months, whereas in dry conditions with sunlight, they lose their infectious potential within a few days.
If your dog has Giardia, we are happy to help with practical tips to fight the infection and prevent reinfection.
If your dog has been treated for Giardia, it is important to thoroughly clean its environment. Steam and disinfect your dog's surroundings by cleaning, rinsing, and then disinfecting. To disinfect the area, we recommend using quaternary ammonium compounds or chlorine. Be sure your dog does not come into contact with these substances. Wash beds, clothes, and blankets at 60 °C and dry them in the sun or in a dryer. Finally, clean your dog’s food and water bowls.
We recommend washing your dog with pet shampoo, as long as it doesn’t cause excessive stress. Also, make sure your dog does not eat feces or prey animals, and always pick up your dog’s stool. Finally, we recommend sending in a follow-up test 14 days after treatment to check whether the deworming was effective and to rule out resistance.
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