Giardia

[Anthony Leong]

I just got news from my Vet my puppy got Giardia. I got to go to the Vet office to get the meds.

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

Thank you for the thorough research.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

i would contact the breeder too.  At least you know know what you have to do so that you and that sweet puppy can get on with having lots of Doodle fun.  Hugs from us.

[Cory Reali]

When we got Molly, she had Giardia. She ended up having it 7 times before we finally got rid of it for good! It was a PITA to get it gone! It just wouldn't disappear totally. Good luck and keep up after the puppy and pick up the poop after ever bowel movement and don't let them eat it at all, or it will just keep cycling in their system.

[Shelley & Beans]

OMD! Feel sorry for you all and for your puppies. Why is this so common, what does it come from? I have my fingers crossed that my puppy (which I haven't got yet) has no problems but it seems very common and and a pain in the butt. What are the symptoms, what should one watch out for. Is it just diagnosed at the regular check up? 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Giardiasis is a parasite spread by wild animals which is very infective. The cysts are quite hardy. Many streams are infected and hikers should know how to purify water. Puppies can get giardiasis from ponds and puddles in places where the cysts are present. The dogs who have it usually have bad diarrhea.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Personally, I believe that most puppies who come home with giardia get it because they are allowed to run around loose outside in areas where adult dogs (and possibly other animals) ahave defecated. Most doodle breeders are breeding quantities of dogs and have quantities of dogs using the same potty areas. I've had three puppies of my own as an adult, and never heard of giardia until I got involved in doodle forums. I do think it is significant that none of my puppies were ever allowed outdoors in areas that any animal other than their mothers had used as a bathroom.

But it is true that they can get it from standing water outdoors; my vet says, even puddles.

[BG and Gavin]

Poor baby.  No wonder she was having so many problems.  When you clean up her poo in the yard you should be very careful handling it and make sure to bleach everything.