Do It Yourself Giardia Test Kits....Am I Crazy?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We're in the middle of dealing with Murphy's Giardia, and I've been doing lots and lots of reading about it.  It is a nasty parasite, and it can be very difficult to diagnose.  It doesn't always show up in stool samples, so you can easily get "clear" samples when they actually have the parasite.  I really believe this is something that Murph may have had for a while, and that could be why we have not been able to solve his food issues even with home cooking.  Anyway, I found that I can order the test kit online (SNAP) test.  I can get 15 tests for $169.99.  It can be purchased through Amazon and it comes from Revival Animal Health which sells lots of other pet meds (like Frontline).  There are lots of reviews for this company, with 97% of them positive.  The reason I'm seriously thinking about this is that I want to be absolutely positive that we clear it up, and one fecal test is just not reliable.  I can see myself bring in samples to the Vet every few days at $30 each time.  Doing it myself seems way more convenient and practical.  Has anyone ever done this or ordered anything from this company?

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I should have asked how our special little "T" is doing?

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

Oh boy do I sympathize with you.  Tigger had giardia for 6 months after we brought him home.  I cloroxed and wiped and washed constantly.  It can be very hard to clear up and keep cleared up.  I think Tigger's tender tummy is due to this.  Don't have any research to back it up, just what I think.  My vet said that whatever test is used, the parasite can be missed because it is only shed in poop in certain stages of its life, other times it clings happily to the intestinal track wall.

 

I finally have Tigger on Perfect Form from The Honest Kitchen (online).  It really helps him have more firm stools and a less fussy tummy.  I had tried cases and cases of pumpkin, and probiotice.  Perfect Form works for Tigger.  My vet was okay with it, I took the can and list of ingredients in.

 

 

[Fitz & Henry]

Maryann,
I am looking at a very old post of yours and see that you had a very lengthy battle with Giardia. We too are in full on battle with Giardia and on round 5 of medication. My dog Henry too is taking Perfect Form from Honest Kitchen ... It has been the only thing that has helped at all.
I'm curious... How did you finally kick the Giardia? Was it just continuous metro & pancur or did your vet try anything else... I'm desperate, and advice you could offer would be greatly appreciated.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

It was quite a process.  We only let them go potty on leash and we took them to a place where we were certain no other dogs went.  We washed all their bedding and cleaned their paws and butt every single time they went out.  If you've been on 5 rounds of meds I'm thinking the dog is reinfesting himself.  The food and Perfect Form will help with the softness of the stools but they do nothing for eliminating the parasite itself.  There was one relapse since then, but we were able to get rid of it with just one round of meds and they've been fine ever since.  Good luck...I know how difficult it is to deal with.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

You need to do 10 days of metro, panacur and tylan, rest for 10 days and then retreat even if you are neg.  Walk and potty your dog on leash, pick up stools when they happen.  It is in the ground everywhere! 

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

you can also order metro under the fish label Fish-Zole from Lambert Vet Supply or Revival with out an Rx.  Panacur is the same as Safeguard without an Rx and Tylan you can order off amazon.com

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

I understand that many people use medications "off label" that are available for another use. But, I would use caution for a number of reasons.  I question the quality control and correct dosage.  "Self" treating is not a good substitute for veterinary care.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

The side of the bottle of fish-zole identifies the medication as metro- per my very responsible vet he said they are made by the exact same company, the active ingredient in safegaurd and panacur is fenbendazole, you do need to insure the suspension is the same but that is not hard to figure out.

There is a difference in treating what you don't know with improper medications and treating what you do know.

The world is not a scary place, stupid people are scary.  Just be smart.

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

I am offended by your post.

1) You are not a veterinarian - please do not recommend medications that should only be prescribed by a veterinarian for treatment of animals. 

2) Posting of treatment recommendations such as you have encourages others to "skip the vet" - irresponsible at best.

3) I don't know who you are referring to as "stupid" - you are just being impolite!!!

 

 

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

You may find it offensive but can't be offended because I wasn't referring to you as stupid.  As I stated people who treat unknown conditions are..

I never recommended that she skip vet care, I only suggested that she could get treatment without an Rx.  I feel strongly that before she treat that she do a lab fecal which is why I didn't offer dosage information. She has been treating long enough to know which medications to use all on her own.

This thread is over 2 years old, no need to get huffy over repeated information.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I personally try to treat some things on my own but of course I go to the vet when needed. I don't think it is irresponsible to transmit information with caveats. If I went to the vet every time my dogs had a minor ailment I would have spent tons of money needlessly. Never mind the time involved. But I can treat minor wounds, take off ticks, heal a hot spot, get through a couple of days of GI upset etc. It helps that I am a physician but most of this is like first aid. I really resent that I can't prescribe medication for my dogs although I can prescribe it for people. But I try to to as much as I can. There are many people scraping by who can't afford the money they spend on veterinary care for things they can do themselves. I once wrote a discussion on when to go to the vet. I tried to make clear the difference between minor ailments you can treat at home and those things requiring veterinary care. On the other hand I am a great advocate for preventive care including vaccinations. And of course you do need to know what you are dealing with before you treat anything. So I am happy Kendra has given us this information.
I am about to go to the vet to get my dogs Lyme vaccinations. My vet is no longer there since she was fired because she is opening her own practice. If there're were a feasible way for me to vaccinate my dogs I would. The charges for things like this are too high at the vet.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

; )  you can get core vaccines from several places.  The only vaccine that you can not administer yourself is Rabies.