Looking for others who've death with drug resistant Giardia...

[Fitz & Henry]

Hi there,
I know I've had some exchanges with a few of you on here. But I am looking for people who have fought the battle against Giardia that is drug resistant.
We have been battling Giardia for 4 months. We have never gotten a fecal test that is negative.
We have tried rounds of Metro and Panacur. We've tried Tinidazole, Tylan Powder, probiotics ... My puppy is not reinfecting himself, I watch him like a hawk, i pick every stool up asap, I wipe his rear, we have no standing water or run off where he is drinking, I am cleaning everything. I am curious if there is any treatment that has really worked and knocked the Giardia out.

Any help and or suggestions would be welcome to me or my Vet....

I know this is the best forum group to be asking.... Fingers crossed you guys have some miracle that we don't know about.

[Gail and Bailey]

Is your dog still having symptoms or are the tests just still positive?

 I do not have any advice but just wanted to share my experience when my dog was 6 months old.  She had no symptoms but, after a routine visit, the vet said she tested positive for giardia.  I gave her the meds he provided but always wondered if there are just some dogs who can be carriers and never show symptoms.  

[Fitz & Henry]

Yes my puppy still has symptoms. He hasn't had a normal stool since he arrived.
He is also very little for being from parents that are a good size. He comes from the Rufus/ Serena litter.
The parents are 50 & 55lbs (and 21" & 24" at the shoulder)
Henry is little & my vet thinks the Giardia could have stunted his growth.
Has anyone else had slow growth with their ALD??

[Gail and Bailey]

I would imagine it could slow the pup's growth because it is causing havoc with the good bacteria in his intestines and probably effecting food absorption.  Have you been giving him a good probiotic while he has been on antibiotics all this time?

[Fitz & Henry]

Yes he is taking a probiotic called Bacillus

[Gail and Bailey]

I do not know of that one, but I can recommend  Proviable and iFlora  as two that have been used by many DK'ers whose pups have had issues with giardia.  You probably already know this......the probiotic must be given either 2 hours before or after the medicine is given.  I sincerely hope others join this discussion so you can get more input.  Hang in there!

[Fitz & Henry]

Thanks Gail, And I actually didn't know that about the probiotic.So I really appreciate it!!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

no advice, but lots of sympathy.  I am sure Karen will comment and I hope you find a solution.  Your puppy is adorable. 

[Fitz & Henry]

Thank you... we love him more than I ever imagined... now we just want him healthy! This is Henry yesterday.  : )

He's 6.5 months

[jenn D]

He really is a beauty! I hope you can get this boy on to a healthy track soon!

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Henry-you are quite the handsome boy!  Hoping that you are all better, very soon! 

[Sue and Buddy]

I know someone who had luck with Fido-Vite helping with Giardia. It has yucca schidigera, which is suppose to be a good source of saponins. Saponins have been shown to have anti-protozoal properties.

[Gail and Bailey]

I am waiting for Karen to post here but until then I will show you what she just told another person.......

"Antibiotics do a number on their digestive systems; they destroy the good bacteria that is necessary for proper digestion and stool formation along with the bad bacteria. That can create a situation where the bad bacteria proliferates in the gut after the meds are finished and it can take a long time to get the gut bacteria balanced again.  I wish more vets recommended probiotics when they put a dog on antibiotics."

She also recommended the probiotic called Gentle Digest capsules by Ark Naturals; these can usually be found in the better private pet supply stores, and may help. 

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/food-so...

Read more here: http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/thefoodgroup/forum/topics/food-so...