5 Tips for Giardia Management

Gastrointestinal (GI) parasites are a super common part of day-to-day veterinary practice. However, with broader regional ranges, fluctuation in numbers, and drug resistance, GI parasites have changed. Many dog and cat GI parasites have One Health importance, like: hookworms (treatment resistant Ancylostoma caninum), tapeworms (Echinococcus multilocularis), roundworms (Baylisascaris procyonis) and Giardia duodenalis.

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Dogs infected with Giardia duodenalis can be a management (and pet-owner communication) challenge. This pesky parasite can result in clinical disease (typically diarrhea), or dogs can test positive and not have clinical signs (i.e., subclinical infection). In dogs with clinical signs that test positive, appropriate treatment is advised. However, dogs without clinical signs that test positive can raise questions regarding whether treatment should be initiated or not. More questions can arise when Giardia’s zoonotic potential is considered, as without checking for zoonotic potential, human risk should probably be assumed.¹

Currently in the USA and Canada, canine Giardia prevalence ranges from 14% to 17%, with just under 4% of dogs detecting with the marker for Giardia with zoonotic potential.² In cats, Giardia prevalence ranges from 6.3% to 7.5%, and 11.8% to 19.1% of these detected Giardia with zoonotic potential.²

Diagnostic (testing/screening) and antimicrobial stewardship are needed. GI parasite resources can help with veterinary management and pet-owner counseling.

Top 5 Tips for Giardia Management

1. Get clear on clinical signs when Giardia is detected.
   Were there clinical signs (i.e. diarrhea), or not (i.e. was Giardia detected on screening/wellness)? The answer to this question will direct management and aid antimicrobial stewardship.
2. Was Giardia of potential zoonotic assemblage detected?
   The answer to this question will help with management and pet-owner communication.
3. Use freely available expert- and evidence-based resources like the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) guidelines for Giardia testing, treatment, and re-testing.³
4. Pick up the poop please!
   We can all do our part to reduce parasite burden in the environment. Removing feces helps pets and their people.
5. Reach out/phone a friend.
   Get the support you need for your tough cases and pet-owner communication from the Antech Consultation Services.