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

[F, Calla & Luca]

The cysts are passed in feces. As to probiotics, I don't think dogs need to be on them for life. A healthy dog should have normal gut flora. But if antibiotics are given or the dogs has some illnesses probiotics should be given.

[LarryL]

Another question I have is, searching old threads I saw Karen mention to give Panacur and Metro!
Is this true - should I be giving both, or just one??

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

No; if I actually said that, it was an error. Some vets insist on giving both. But Panacur is all you need or want, really.

Three days of Panacur worked fine for my foster. Some strains of giardia are resistant and more difficult to eradicate, so they may need a longer course of treatment, or repeat treatment. 

[LarryL]

So it looks like poor Oliver's Giardia has taken a turn for the worse tonite.

He had 3-4 explosive diarrheal in the last few hours.
This last time we saw a tiny little drop of blood in it.
Is this normal for giardia, or cause to be additionally alarmed???

So far this evening has been super stressful on us :-(

I also want to feed him.
Should I?

Should I maybe skip the kibble and do just rice chicken and sweet potato?
Or just stay w kibble and sweet potato??

[LarryL]

More diarrhea, more blood in stool :-(
We're so nervous - what do we do

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't think there is much you can do right now unless you go to an emergency vet clinic. Is the puppy drinking a lot. With a young puppy you have to think about dehydration.

[LarryL]

I dunno about a lot, but he's drinking. We have his water out and he drinks it.
We're gonna go back to the vet in the morning.

He's acting fine and is his usual self - it's just the 5-6 BMs tonight - each more watery than the last.

I guess I'm just wondering if blood in stool is common for giardia - or if this is something, gd forbid, more serious

[F, Calla & Luca]

The blood could be from the Giardia. I think seeing the vet in the morning is a very good idea.

[Marie and Hoka]

This is really coming from a human-medical background, but that said: young and old are easily dehydrated. If it seems to be a large watery volume, I would take him in to the vet... They can monitor him and give extra fluids if needed.
Good luck!

[Brittney & Cally]

Let us know what the vet says and how things are going today!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

All good advice.
I saw no where the cleaning technique used. Bleach 10:1 ratio with a 10 minute soak is needed.

Now- contact your breeder and let this person know. I'd be asking for vet reimbursement charges as I'm sure you paid for a health warranty and were insured a healthy pup. Certainly, this seems to be a common but serious illness in a baby pup. . Giardia / dirty kennels is the likely cause. I'd be furious

[LarryL]

I decided not to go to the vet today because everyone said a little blood in the stool is normal for Giardia.

He is acting normal this morning and no Diarrhea yet.

Am I wrong for not bringing him back to the vet??

Figured they wouldnt say anything I dont already know.