Giardia is a single-cell intestinal parasite that causes a disease called giardiasis. Dogs usually pick up the parasite when they drink contaminated water. Learn more below from your veterinarian Gresham, OR. 

Symptoms

Diarrhea is the main symptom of giardia infestation, and a dog’s stools might be soft, oily, foamy, or mucus-filled. You might also see vomiting, dehydration, and a drop in coat quality. Without treatment, a dog’s dehydration could become more severe and they could even start to lose weight. 

Treatment

Fortunately, giardiasis is easy to treat in most cases. Your vet will prescribe an antiparasitic medication to kill off the giardia cells and stop the infestation. You might need to feed your dog a bland diet of white rice and boiled chicken (or a variation thereof) as their stomach heals from the frequent diarrhea and vomiting. 

Prevention

You can reduce the likelihood of your dog contracting giardiasis by preventing them from drinking out of puddles, ponds, and other water sources while outdoors. There is not a vaccination or pest-control medication to prevent the disease. 

Want to learn more about giardiasis and how it affects dogs? Contact your animal hospital Gresham, OR right away. We are always here to help!