Oliver has giardia - and I have a few questions

[LarryL]

I thought I'd move this out of the food group and start a new thread as it is no longer food related.

Oliver is a little over 3 months and has been with us for two and a half weeks.
A day after changing food he had diarrhea - after getting a stool sample to the vet, he tested positive for giardia.

We have been adding a bit of mashed sweet potato to his food to firm him up a bit.

The vets office initially gave me metro, but thanks to DK I requested Panacur instead.
They gave me 3 little baggies of powder - a 3 day supply.

Question 1: I know I'm supposed to give a probiotic either two hours before or after he takes his meds. Yesterday we bought all natural fage Greek yogurt - is this a probiotic? Or is yogurt & probiotic not the same?

2: how often should we give him yogurt? Just once a day before or after his meds??

3: I asked the guy at the vets office if in a week or two I should give another stool sample, but he said he would just take more Panacur in two weeks. This sounded weird to me as I dont want to give him more meds than necessary - am I right for thinking that?

4: as far as cleaning, I know to be diligent with his poop cleaning. Is the only way he can reinfect himself by eating licking his poop???

5: he just got his booster shot yesterday - should I avoid taking him outside until this passes?

6: how cantageous is he to other pups? We have a puppy socialization class on Wednesday that I now think I should cancel?

Lastly, I will take as much advice & recommendations as possible!

Thanks

[LarryL]

Thanks for the good advice :)

So I'm guessing if the test comes back negative, there should be absolutely no need for any other meds right

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Right.

[LarryL]

So after the two weeks of Metro, I thought Oliver was all better.

His stool started to normalize.
He has days where it's soft - but not the diarrhea he's been having before.
And most of the time it's normal.

After 10 days of metronidazole, we waited about 2-3 weeks and had another fecal test done.
The vet tech said it came back POSITIVE :-(

I feel so bad for our poor puppy.
The vet tech said clean his bowl better - which makes no sense since we're under the impression it only comes from his poop.

We've been pretty deligent washing his stuff, and the areas he poops with bleach solution. And using the plate catching technique.

Is it possible that after all this there are still some anti-bodies that give a positive result?
Or should it all be completely gone by now???

The vet suggested metro again - which we don't want to do.

Any advice or opinions????????

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It depends on what type of test they are doing. If they are testing for antibodies, yes, it will give a positive result even though there may be no giardia present. This is why you want what is known as a fecal float test and not just the SNAP test. 

I would absolutely not give him any more metronidazole. 

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

LarryL, I had a similar infection of Giarda with one of my dogs and I did go right to the Panacur for the second round of meds. It was very effective and I actually prefer it and would ask for it as a first line medication should the need arise again. Otherwise, my Bella usually tests positive for the antibody and unless she is ill, we let it go. Has not reacurred for 3 years now, and I would just do a stool sample should she show signs. I may be wrong in my plan of action, as like I said it has been 3 years and we may have more information on the Panacur now.

[karen gallant]

I am so sorry that Oliver is going through this (not to mention you and your partner). I am now anxious for our Finn yo get his stool checked tomorrow. My fingers and toes are crossed its negative. This sounds like a nasty parasite that Oliver has.

[LarryL]

Spoke to my vets office again today.

Although I didn't get our vet on the phone directly, the vet tech said it was in fact a flotation test.

He said he asked the doctor about it, and the doctor said I should do another 10 days of Metro.

From what you guys have helped me with here - I am against that.

But what is our next step?

What should we do be doing?

I read another thread here about a strain of drug resistant giardia from the pacific NW , and the poster spoke to a parasitologist who suggested 5 days of Drontal.

Another person did 6.5MONTHS  of panacur on & off.

We're really worried trying to figure out what the right course of action is.

Oliver seemed so fine in the recent weeks.

His poop has been improving daily.

His attitude seemed fine - he wasn't acting sick like he was before.

yesterday & today his poop was runny a little

and hes not eating all 3 of his meals daily.

the last week or two, hes been eating maybe 1.5 - 2 x a day, but hes acting totally fine.

Any advice?

We're going to see our doctor tomorrow who will undoubtedly say do more metro.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I would not do more metro. Do another round of Panacur, try Drontal, anything but metronidazole. Too many dogs have ended up with permanent ongoing digestive issues from repeat courses of metronidazole as puppies. And as we have discussed before, it is NOT the most effective treatment anyway.  

It's really important that he is not re-contaminating himself somehow. Never unsupervised outdoors, nothing in his mouth outdoors, cleaning up poop scrupulously and immediately, always clean his butt after he goes, etc. If they are actually seeing cysts under the microscope, after all the meds, he may have reinfected himself. 

Giardia typically doesn't cause behavioral changes. 

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Larry, I am sorry you guys are still going through this. Like Karen said, stick to your guns, and do not use any more metro. Our boy Woody is one of the cases of permanent digestive issues from long term metro (with no probiotic) as a puppy.

Where is he going to the bathroom? Like others have said, make sure everything is clean, and I wouldn't even let him sniff around while outside. The cysts can travel through the nasal passageway/or mouth..and he can keep reinfecting himself. Also, make sure he is not eating, leaves, grass, dirt, etc.

[Jill, Woody & Maxi]

Larry, how did things go at the vet? How is Oliver doing?

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I have no advice , but lots of good thoughts are going your way from us that you can solve this soon! 

[Pam Thomas]

Is there anything to spray on the yard to kill parasites?