Giardia Cyst and Trophozoite under the Microscope

Species: dogs and cats

Scientific name: Giardia canis

Clinical signs: early infections may be asymptomatic, diarrhea

Diagnosis: organisms or cysts in fecal examination on fresh feces, more advanced testing available for special cases

Mode of transmission: oral ingestion of cysts

Treatment: metronidazole and/or fenbendazole; supportive care

Prevention:

• Pick up feces immediately with plastic bag and discard into trashcan until infection resolved
• Wash hands well after handling feces
• Prevent coprophagia (ingestion of feces)
• Disinfect surfaces with 1% bleach solution (3 cups bleach in 1 gallon water) or 2-5% Lysol solution
• Do not allow pets to lick human faces

Zoonotic disease: Giardiasis

• Many infections are asymptomatic, diarrhea may occur
• Humans rarely become infected with giardia from their pets
• Most human infections occur when camping and drinking contaminated water

Information about giardia in humans from the CDC

Please contact our veterinarians at Animal Medical Hospital in Saint Petersburg, Florida (FL) at 727-896-7127 for more information.