Tough Day at the Vet - Giardia

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

After all the problems we had with loose stools with Guinness as a puppy, we thought we had the problem under control. He went for a couple of months with no problems. Last week we had a couple of loose stools and then yesterday he started with diarrhea. I called the vet and took in a stool sample. Today we had our visit, and he has Giardia. She said that she is seeing this all the time lately. In addition to the stool sample she also did an inhouse cytology, and actually could see the cysts as well as elevated red/white blood cells. She put him on Metronidazole and Panacur. Also, he's been licking his paws over the past couple of weeks and they are irritated. For that she gave the Relief Spray. She wants him on a grain free food (at least for now) with yogurt and pumpkin daily. I put him on GF today. I haven't heard much about it here on Doodle Kisses, but the reviews look good. She told me not to give him any home cooking for now. We live in a condo with several fenced dog pens, where we take Guinness to "do his business"...actually it's a requirement of the condo association. She said he cannot go into the pens now, and probably ever. This will be a problem, and I'm sure we'll be getting "warning letters" and then fines, but at this point he comes first, and I really don't care. So, I'm sure in another week he'll be doing fine, but right now I'm frustrated. Does anyone have any insight on what is going on with all tis Giardia? We've had three other dogs, and I never heard of it. Tonight I'm feeling really bad for my little dood.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks for that info...my Vet didn't mention anything about his bedding or toys, but that does make sense.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Sorry, I should have said BG the "Before Grain" Merrick food. I researched it and it is in the 5 star category. He likes it "okay", but is already missing the home cooking.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The Merrick "Before Grain" is a good food. There are lots of other excellent grain-free kibbles such as Orijen and EVO if you want some alternatives; Orijen in particular is one that most dogs love. But probably not more than they love homecooked food, lol.
I'm not sure why the vet wants you to eliminate homecooked foods for now. Maybe she wants to be sure the diarrhea is not caused by anything Guinness is eating, or rather aggravated by it? Be glad that you have a vet who is savvy enough about canine nutrition to recommend a premium food (all grain-free commercial foods are premium) and not try to sell you the Rx crap!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You're right about why she wanted his diet totally limited for now...just the BG with yogurt and pumpkin. When the infection is more under control I can go back to supplementing with home cooking, but I'll have to introduce foods one at a time and wait a few days between each thing I add. For the most part I just gave him chicken, but I was adding veggies (peas, carrots, and the infamous green beans). His intestinal track is such a mess right now from the Giardia that she wants to keep his diet very simple. She's a great vet, and "parasites" are her specialty (can you imagine)...she actually spent two years studying and doing research on them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Jane, it sounds like Guinness is in excellent hands! He has a great vet and a great mom! I hope the Giardia issue is cleared up quickly and permanently!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thank you so much...I needed to be told I'm a good mom today. My guy is so sick. He won't eat anything, even his favorite yogurt and pumpkin. All he wants to do is sleep by my feet. Have a great Holiday!

[Lori]

I hope Guinness feels better! Poor Puppy!!!
My pup was just on Panacur too for Giardia. The thing I just read above that is freaking me out is that you have to wash bedding so they don't reinfect themselves....HE SLEEPS ON MY BED AT NIGHT!!!! Yikes...of course I wash my sheets - even more so now that the pup sleeps there, but it is making me nervous now...and another thing...how do you treat the area where they have gone to the bathroom?
Do I have to spray my WHOLE LAWN with clorox & water & will that kill my grass? I am a little confused right now!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!!
PS - we did use baby wipes on him everytime he went. Hopefully that helped!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Fill a spray bottle (power spray is best) with 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. You really should go outside with a dog who has Giardia anyway, every time they poop. Pick up the poop (wear rubber gloves, and wash your hands afterwards anyway. Giardia is contagious to humans) and then immediately spray the area with the bleach/water very thoroughly. And yes, it will probably kill the grass.
If you have the kind of yard where it would be possible to restrict the dog to one area, that's the easiest thing.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I have had a dozen or more dogs and my two doodles were the first I ever had that got Giardia. What a total nuisance. Unless you disinfect after every poop of every dog, disinfecting is not going to help with the Giardia much. The pumpkin will really help with the icky poop. As Karen and Jack said Giardia can really be a stinker to eradicate. It does not always show up in every stool sample, it has to be in the right stage of it life to shed in poop. Fortunately, I have concrete and Easy turf in the area my dogs go, but I disinfected every spot, everyday for three months. But I did get rid of it.

Could you possibly take Guiness to "disinfectable area" to poop for awhile, so no one else's dog gets it and he doe not reinfect himself. Since he seems to be pretty sensitive you might consider disinfecting his feet after every outdoor visit for awile. His poor feet are sore already though. What about boots that can be cleaned after each use? Maybe even diposable plastic bags and rubber bands. Not forever just until his poop tummy gets totally happy.

Hugs to you. You a have really had a long road. I think the end might be in site though.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

It is everywhere there is NO way to keep your dog from coming in contact with it PERIOD. I recommend that you treat using the antibiotic for a full 10 days, rest for 10 days off the meds then repeat for another 10 days and finally vaccinate using Giardiavax.

Anytime the weather changes, especially if you live in an area where you get all 4 seasons the rate of giardia cases will increase because of the amount of precipitation and ground saturation. Giardia lives dormant in dry areas and when water is applied it wakes up. So it is EVERYWHERE just like coccidia and parvo.

There is no need to fuss and stress over it, just treat it and move on... it is natural and just like poop- it happens!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks...I'm trying to keep this in perspective! I just wish he wasn't so miserable. He's not eating and he does drink a little water, but he's spitting that up so I need to watch his hydration. He did have the Giardiavax several mos ago, but it apparently wasn't effective. I appreciate your insight, and I'm really trying not to stress.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

The giardiavax is not a full proof guarantee, I used to give it to my pups and adults but I stopped and started treating aggressively with meds and when my girl who seamed to always carry it left I stopped having issues with it. I know it is the ground so I could always get it but I have also learned that if my dogs are under any type of stress they will pick stuff up but when their system is in check and strong they dont. What does that mean? I am not suggesting you go out and buy any special foods or vitamins but just make sure Guinness's immune system is strong and you will notice these issues decrease.

I assume your vet is treating with a "zole" and vet bills can be outrageous, I know. You can contact Lambert Vet Supply, ask for Nancy, tell her I referred you (I dont get a kick back but you might get my discount) as for a bottle of Fish-Zole, you do not need a prescription, it is the exact same medication that your dog gets and is human grade! It is $14, I normally pay $9 for it. It is a bottle of 250 mg 100 count. Just make a note as to the dosage so you know next time. Lambriar has a vet on staff who is free and will tell you the very same thing. Hope that saves you some money... Remember I am not a vet and I do not play one on TV : )