Giardiasis in dogs, or giardiasis as the disease is known, is a zoonosis - i.e. it can also be transmitted to humans - caused by a protozoan that acts in the bloodstream of the infected dog. Once infected, giardiasis causes a series of gastric changes in the animal. Even though it is curable, canine giardiasis can kill if not properly treated. To clarify differentWith questions such as contagion, treatment and the different ways of preventing the disease, we talked to veterinarian Thiago Félix, from Brasília. Take a look!

What are the symptoms of giardia in dogs?

One of the main ways to find out what giardia is in dogs and identify whether or not your dog has been contaminated is to observe the animal's symptoms. The dog with diarrhea that has been exposed to places with poor sanitation or has had contact with an animal that lives in this type of environment may have giardiasis, but this is not the only sign. "The main symptoms of giardia arevomiting and food apathy (when the dog does not want to eat), which can cause the animal to develop a picture of anorexia, weight loss and bloody diarrhea with the presence of mucus and even small cysts ", explained Thiago. In addition, the dog with giardia can also become apathetic because of malaise, have hair loss, gas and dehydration because of vomiting and diarrhea.

Giardia in dogs: how does transmission occur?

Giardiasis is not a viral disease, that is: it cannot be transmitted only by the approach of the sick animal with a healthy one. To be infected, the healthy dog needs contact, as the professional explains: "Giardia has fecal-oral transmission. The animal has to come into contact with the place contaminated by the feces of the sick animal to contract it. There is also transmission by the human body.breastfeeding, when the baby becomes infected through breastfeeding".

What is needed to diagnose giardia in dogs?

Even though giardiasis is a disease mostly transmitted by contact with contaminated feces, the stool test is not the main way to confirm the diagnosis of the disease, since the sample collected may not contain giardia particles. "A very detailed clinical examination associated with laboratory and serological tests, such as ELISA, is necessary to reach the diagnosis of giardiasis," says the doctor.giardiasis", said Thiago.

How does the treatment of giardia in dogs work?

Giardiasis in dogs is a disease that has very uncomfortable symptoms that, if left unchecked, can cause the death of the infected dog - especially for those who are still puppies, between three and six months of age, when the disease is more aggressive. Still, Thiago explains that they can all be treated and cured with the help of a veterinarian: "The treatment of giardia isIn some more severe cases, where the animal is already very dehydrated because of diarrhea and vomiting, it is necessary to perform electrolyte replacement during hospitalization ".

What are the different ways to prevent giardiasis in dogs?

As the contagion of giardia happens through the contact of the dog with the feces of a contaminated animal, one of the main forms of prevention is to avoid exposing your dog to public places, with other animals, where there is a suspicion of giardia. In addition, Thiago gave some tips to increase your friend's protection: "Prevention of giardia can be done with dewormers that fight proteobacteriaand environmental disinfection - with a product based on benzalkonium chloride." This chemical compound fights giardia directly in the environment and may be the solution to prevent contamination from spreading.

Does the giardia vaccine prevent the animal from being contaminated?

One of the main ways to prevent any disease, the dog vaccine can also be used in the case of giardia. It is usually indicated for dogs living in places where there is a higher risk of contamination of the disease, but you can talk to your veterinarian about immunization. "Having an immune response in the animal is the best form of protection - and that's where the vaccine comes in. Shedoes not prevent the animal from catching giardiasis, but it prevents the spread in the environment and, consequently, the contamination of other animals, "said Thiago. Giardiasis is curable and, even if your dog contracts giardiasis by being vaccinated, he can be well after proper treatment.

The vaccine against canine giardiasis should be given to puppies from eight weeks of age. The animal needs to receive the second dose at an interval of 21 to 28 days and, after that, only the annual immunization booster.