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.

[Claudia]

So sorry to hear about the giardia. Jasper has had it too, and we were shocked. The only place he goes is to doggy day care once in a while, so we assume he got it there, though I think they do a great job sanitizing the place. The vet said that they've seen quite a bit of it in recent months. Apparently there are adult dogs that are carriers of the cysts, and puppies are susceptible. Jasper had to be treated twice before it was completely gone, and we did the GF too.......but once he started on the meds he was back to normal within a few days!

[Brewster's Mom]

Poor baby! Brewster had it this summer and had two treatments for it before he was better.

We are only on city water for the house. Our outside irrigation comes from the ditches, which is more than likely where the giardia comes from. Which means, unless I want a dead lawn all summer, he'll get it every summer. :( Bummer.

I'm preparing to just treat the symptoms, watch his weight, and treat him with meds at the end of the summer or at the point it gets bad. Not sure what else I can do.

Hope your dood feels better soon!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Thanks, he's actually feeling better. We're waiting for a call from the Vet to see if he should go on another round of the meds. He went for three days without eating, and that made me crazy. We're still watching his diet, but he has regained most of his appetite. Thanks for your well wishes.