Giardia

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Guinness had his four year check up and shots last week, and I brought a stool sample which I do every year.  He's had no symptoms of anything and has fantastic poops with his special diet.  He's had no flare ups of the IBS in well over a year, and no parasites of any type.  All in all, he's been really healthy.  As a young puppy he did have a horrible case of Giardia which it took weeks to get rid of.  Anyway, to get to the point the Vet called to say that he was shedding the Giardia cysts and needed to be treated....and of course they also will treat Murph because he's in the household.  Tomorrow I'll go and pick up the panacur and metronidazole and we'll start that "process" which I know from experience will take several weeks. 

That's nothing new or even interesting, but my conversation with the Vet really got me thinking.  She said that it's running rampant in our area, so she's not in the least bit surprised.  Basically any dog being walked in our parks, bike paths, or going to daycare is being exposed.  When I asked why she said she had a theory but no scientific proof that it was the case...just her supposition.  She feels that puppies are being given metronidazole and/or panacur often before they even leave their litter by the breeders.  The idea the breeders have is that they want to rid them of giardia before leaving for their homes, and they don't bother to test (because it's so prevalent).  Then they get to their homes and often they are still infected and so they go on another round or two, and so it goes.  They eventually build a tolerance to the meds and the parasites continue to survive and infest the ground and ultimately other dogs who come in contact with that ground. Karen has said that she had lots of concerns with the frequency of metronidazole being prescribed, and so I found this thought provoking.  If all this is true, it's a bleak picture. 

[Star and Goldie]

That happens to me all of the time too!!! Grrrr.... I will type a huge reply up and it posts 2 words. I don't blame you for not typing it all out again;)

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Jane, I was going to say, when my son came down with Giardia 20 years ago, I had the Health Department calling me on and off all week.  They had a list of questions and more questions:

• Was my son in South West United States recently?   Was I sure?  Are you positive you did not travel?   <---yea! I would have remembered being there 
• When in SW US, did you drink the water?  <--I told you, I was NOT there
• Did we purchase fruit from South America?  <--hell, I don't know. It came from the grocery store!
• Do you wash the fruit, the lettuce, do you wash at all?  LOL.  No, my son is pretty piggy most days. So am I
• What Rivers did I take my son?  Do I permit him to drink out of the river?   Do I have well water?

They came out with a bottle and tested my well too!

What I am trying to say, is that then, it was a HUGE DEAL.  Now we see it so frequently, are we just apathetic?

With the world importing and exporting more and more goods, has it become more common.  We now get food from all over the world, in just days time.  30 years ago, not so much.

Or, did I just have a medical student calling me ... and it was no big deal then either? 

[DJ & Chance]

Jane, we have the same problem in my part of California, and the vet blames irresponsible owner and breeders.  Hope your doodles stay well.

[DJ & Chance]

LOL, my ad is for Previcox.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

Jane, I'm sorry to hear this and hope this all sorts itself out quickly.  Recently, we opted for a shot rather than a 10 day course of antibiotics.  The vet said the one time shot is very effective but it's costly. Twice as much as the pills.  But the result was no upset stomach or diarrhea.  

[Carol and Banjo]

Oh Jane,  I'm so sorry to hear you're having to go through this with your guys.    Interesting observation by your vet.   It rings similar to the whole discussion of over prescribed antibiotic use in people.    I do hope the treatment is quick and effective.

[BG and Gavin]

Sorry to hear this Jane :(

[Leslie and Halas]

Oh, no!  At least it was caught early.  I hope it's not as bad as last time.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Just back from the Vet with all the meds.  This is going to be a full time job.  They're on Panacur, Metronidazole, Proviable, Pepcid (because of the IBS), plus Murph is in the Claritin and cortisone spray for his allergies...and of course I have to wash their feet and butt every time they go out.  I'm drawing the line at catching the poop with a paper plate like Jane did though...my guys move around way too much during the "process".  Yikes....I'm glad I'm not still working...I'd have to take a Giardia Leave Of Absence, and I had enough trouble getting a pregnancy leave with Tim, so I'm thinking that wouldn't go over too well.  LOL.  Thanks everyone for your great words of encouragement.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

Oh goodness, just seeing this. I am so sorry JAne!

And it is worrisome about the increasing cases of giardia :(

[Bonnie and Kona]

Jane, I suggest instead of the Giardia Leave of Absence, you may prefer getting a part time job and hiring someone for Giardia Doodie. The whole thing sounds like a freaking nightmare. 

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Just found this. Poor guys (and you). I hope it clears up fast without any complications. Our vet never prescribes Panacur. Monty has had Metro for at least 4 times now. And I did take a leave of absence. How do you keep a dog with diarrhea home alone the whole day?