Giardia in dogs and cats: symptoms, transmission and when to test
Recurring diarrhoea can have many causes, but one possibility in both dogs and cats is Giardia. This microscopic intestinal parasite occurs worldwide and can spread relatively easily between animals through contaminated environments.
Some pets infected with Giardia show no obvious symptoms. Others develop digestive problems that keep returning, making it difficult for owners to understand what is causing the problem.
What is Giardia?
Giardia is an intestinal parasite. The infectious cysts are passed in faeces and can survive in the environment. A dog or cat can become infected after swallowing cysts from contaminated water, food, surfaces or objects, or during grooming after coming into contact with contaminated material.
Giardia is seen particularly often in situations where animals have frequent contact with other animals or shared environments, such as kennels, shelters and dog parks.
What are the symptoms of Giardia?
An infected animal does not necessarily become ill. When symptoms do occur, one of the most common signs is diarrhoea.
- Recurrent or persistent diarrhoea
- Soft or watery stools
- Mucus in the stool
- Flatulence
- Vomiting
- Reduced appetite
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
The diarrhoea can be intermittent, which means stools may look normal for a while before becoming loose again.
When should you consider testing?
Testing can be worth considering when your dog or cat has unexplained diarrhoea, particularly when the problem repeatedly returns.
- A stay at a kennel or shelter
- Introducing a new pet into the household
- Contact with animals known to have Giardia
- Several animals in the household developing similar intestinal symptoms
- Repeated digestive problems without an obvious explanation
Veterinary diagnostic methods for Giardia include faecal examination, antigen testing and PCR. Because Giardia may not always be detected in every stool sample, veterinarians may sometimes recommend additional or repeated testing.
Can Giardia spread again after treatment?
Reinfection is possible because Giardia cysts are passed into the environment in faeces. Cleaning contaminated areas and promptly removing stools can therefore be an important part of controlling infection.
If you have several pets, your veterinarian can advise whether other animals should also be examined or tested.
What does a positive rapid test mean?
A positive screening result indicates that Giardia antigen has been detected in the sample. The result should be considered together with your pet's symptoms and health history.
Contact your veterinarian if your pet tests positive, particularly if there is persistent diarrhoea, vomiting, weight loss or lethargy.
A rapid test is a useful screening tool, but it should not replace veterinary assessment when your pet is unwell.
When should you contact a veterinarian immediately?
Do not wait for a home test if your pet is seriously ill.
- Is very young or elderly
- Is repeatedly vomiting
- Refuses food or water
- Appears dehydrated
- Is extremely lethargic
- Has blood in the stool
- Has severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Check for Giardia at home
Pet Pharma's Giardia Antigen Test for Dogs & Cats is designed to screen a small stool sample for Giardia antigen and provides a result within minutes.