Giardia....still

[Erin]

Despite the bouts of constipation. Otto still has giardia after one round of panacur. Vet is recommending now 10 days of panacur and metronidazole!!! Input would be helpful. I think we did 5 days of panacur prior.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Wow, giardia usually causes the opposite of constipation. It seems odd that he would still have giardia and be constipated at the same time. Never heard of that before. 

[Erin]

I find he's constipated sometimes and has very soft stools other. Is this recommended treatment? I've heard negative things about the metronidazole! Should I add a probiotic? TIA

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Panacur is preferred for treating giardia, because it's effective and has far fewer side effects. Repeated courses of metronidazole, especially in puppies, can cause long term digestive issues. But when the Panacur doesn't get rid of the parasite, most vets do usually add metronidazole to the treatment. It's imperative that you give probiotics both during the antibiotic treatment and for a few weeks afterward. 

[Erin]

What probiotic do you recommend, Karen? Is it proviable (spelling?)? Thanks again

[Erin]

Also, should I do the metro and panacur through vet or buy online?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Those meds I would get from the vet. 

And yes, the probiotic I most often recommend is Proviable. That you can get online.