Giardia & Coccidia & Round Worms - Trying to stay calm

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

So when I picked up Stuart today I knew that he was on meds for Coccidia & round worms - he is on a 10 day treatment of Albon - he has 3 more days.  And I had made a Vet appt. for him, here in Atlanta as I have to stop for 2 days in Ocala and will not get home till Friday.  I figured I was being overly cautious but oh my DOG!  Stuart pooped for me today (outside - good boy) and I took that stool in.  They also swabbed another sample from his butt.  Well he has Giardia!  He is also very under weight - his little ribs stick out when you touch him - breaks my heart.  He has gained two pounds though since his last weigh on 5/31 but at 8 weeks is only 6.5 pds.  We started him on meds for the Giardia - Metronidazole.  I'm trying to be brave but I am a total germaphobe!!!!  I feel all icky with worry about catching something.  I am worried about Rooney when I get back home on Friday.  I don't know anything about any of this stuff but I will tell you this.  I LOVE this little guy, he is mine and I WILL do whatever gross thing that I must to get him healthy.  He has a funny odor (vet said do not bath for a few days - too much stress already).  He has gone potty outside every time I put him down!  I guess I'm begging for advice and moral support because I'm so out of my element with this.   Any advice on how not to infect Rooney or myself is welcome.  Thank goodness the Giardia was caught early - his poop was soft but not runny.  Help.

 

[Sally, Ditzy Mitzi & Sgt. Pepper]

I have another question probably in the wrong place but since it pertains to clean up here it is.  I know vinegar when

diluted with water is a disinfectant.  Could this be used as effectively as Clorox or any other bleach?  It smells better (my opinion) and won't stain fabrics or carpeting as bleach does.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't know what you would do about indoor carpeting and upholstery; bedding can be washed, but obviously you can't put bleach on your carpets.

Then again, I don't know if the giardia cysts can live on carpet or upholstery. I think ordinary steaming/washing would take care of it.

If you take care to clean the dog up, hopefully the cysts wouldn't be deposited on any indoor suface.