Giardia From Hell!

[Bisou]

My poor puppy has had Giardia for 2 months. I've given her panacur for 5 days each time and it comes back shortly after. The vet said maybe he thinks it is living in the background? I clean up her diarrhea with a pooper scooper and then the area with the hose to disperse from the grass. Maybe I have been dispersing the Giardia? I live in Santa Monica, CA it has been raining a lot and maybe that is making it spread. Should I spray the lawn with lysol after she poops? Did anyone have such problems? I've started washing her paws and behind in the sink but I am afraid it is living in the sink now? Did anyone just use plain old baby wipes and call it a day after several times of Giardia? She is definitely feeling better but I've had her on panacur for 9 days now. I'm afraid when she goes off the panacur she will be sick again. Does anyone have advice for the lawn?? Thank you

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I hate to tell you this, but giardia cysts will survive just about anything, and spraying with plain water will disperse the cysts over a larger area. The only way to disinfect the yard and keep your puppy from getting reinfected is to spray any area where the poop has made contact with a 10% bleach solution (1 part bleach, 9 parts water). And, yes, it will kill your grass. Use rubber gloves if there's any chance you may come into contact with the poop, because giardia is zoonotic.

Her bedding needs to be washed in hot water, and you do need to clean her carefully after each time she poops. You also have to watch her like a hawk in the yard, and make sure she isn't drinkng any standing water. I've seen dogs drink from the concave seats of molded plastic patio chairs, and from gutter drip pans.

Hope this helps.

[Bisou]

Thank you so much! Is a baby wipe good enough for her do you think or do I need to actually wash her with soap and water everytime? Thanks again

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

When Guinness had Giardia our Vet told us the same thing about the bleach solution.  She also suggested that we find a totally new potty spot than where he had been going, and always keep him on a leash to ensure he would not get re-infested.  Maybe you could just spray one area of your yard with the bleach solution and leash walk your puppy to that spot to potty.  I know that seems to be pretty inconvenient, but at least it should prevent further episodes.  Good luck...it's a nasty thing to get rid of.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I used baby wipes when our new puppy had giardia as I didn't want her spreading it around the house or to our other dog when he sniffs her. Can I say that is what worked, or did she just not get that bad a case? Who knows? But it's cheap and worth a try and if it gives you any sense of being cleaner, than it's not a waste.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I feel for you.  Tigger had Giardia for over two months when he was very young.  I was soooo tired of washing the dog run down with clorox everyday.  But at least I could as it is easy turf.  I did use baby wipes on Tigger as I thought that was better than spreading it around in the tub or with a washcloth.  He did finally kick it but it was horrible.  Roo only had it the first time and then seemed to not get it again.  I have no idea why.  Tigger did finally get rid of it for good and then had to go on probiotics and pumpkin for a month or so to put his digestion back in order.  He never seemed to feel the least bit bad - but ooh the poop!

[Frannie & Callie]

Callie had Giardia last January and it was about 6 weeks before she was "normal" again. I really think the only reason I knew to take the cleaning, removal, wiping, etc seriously was from people on DK!

 

I feel for you!

[Maxwell & Lilly's Page]

After a few recurring bouts with Giardia, we started spraying the lawn with bleach solution. I thought it would never end, but finally he tested negative for it. Those repeated fecal tests were expensive!!!

[Taylor & Huff]

um I dont have advice for the lawn but at petco they sell special paw wipes we use them on Huff all the time and theres a machine http://www.thepawwash.com/journey.html or http://www.pawplunger.com/c_buynow.php

[Gillian]

I feel your pain.. Maizey battled Giardia and while her fecal tests are all coming back negative lately, she's still dealing with the effects of it. Anyway, our vet also told us that we had to wash her water/food bowls and all toys every day in hot soapy water... i also scrubbed my floors and washed all towels, bedding etc. several times throughout her Panacur dosing... and luckily the giardia went away. Maybe try cleaning all that stuff, too? Good luck!

[Bisou]

Thank you everyone. I actually washed the puppy and gave her a bath on the 5th day of panacur, washed all her toys and bedding in hot water and bleach and mopped down the whole house with a 10% bleach solution. I did this everytime that she finished panacur for 4 bouts of medicine and now I have been washing her paws and using babywipes on her after she goes outside to the bathroom. I have also started spraying the lawn now with 10% beach solution. It had better work!! Has anyone used the giardiavox vaccine?

[akselsmom]

My Aksel has Giardia. Don't know much about it but I think he got it while at the shelter. Vet says no worries but I have no energy by the time I get off of my 2nd job. Washing bedding now and cleaned crate with a ton of bleach. Washed and bleached bowls but if I bleach his rubber Kong, could it hurt him since it seems more porous than his Nylabone.

He's been on Panacur and has to go back to vet in a week or two. Vet said two. And I have to go in for testing at my doctor! How did this happen?!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

It certainly wouldn't hurt to soak the Kong in a mild bleach solution and rinse really well, Less likely to be hurt from any residual bleach than the reinfesting with Giardia.

As for how did this happen.... you will never really know, but taking precautions like you are will ofcourse help for the future. It could take several rounds of anti-biotics so don't be discouraged. Just keep at it.

There really is no other choice than to keep up your vigilance with cleaning. Sorry.