Treatments To Cure Giardiasis In Cats
Giardiasis is a very common parasitic disease in cats but also in other pets. In this article we tell you everything you need to know about giardiasis in cats and what treatments exist to cure this disease.
What is giardiasis?
First, it is worth clarifying what kind of disease it is. Giardiasis is caused by Giardia lamblia , a parasitic protozoan. It is an organism that can only be observed under a microscope and that attaches itself to the walls of the intestine.
This organ is the first to be affected: giardiasis develops first in the small intestine and then in the large intestine. In turn, it generates digestive problems and deteriorates the overall health of the animal.
Giardiasis is more common in pets with low immune defenses, such as those suffering from feline immunodeficiency syndrome, such as in puppies and the elderly.
For some felines, giardiasis is asymptomatic and can only be diagnosed through routine veterinary checks. In other cases, the symptoms are: diarrhea, loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, loss of appetite, abdominal pain and bloating, weight loss, and intestinal upset.
How does the infection happen?
The infection occurs above all when there are many cats together, for example in a shelter for stray animals or a house where more than five cats live. Although a priori is not fatal, the lack of adequate and timely care can end the life of the feline. Furthermore, it is good to know that the Giardia parasite is very contagious and is also transmitted to humans.
In case your pet has access to the outside, it will be easier for it to become infected. In fact, the Giardia protozoan prefers humid environments that have not been properly cleaned or sanitized. It is common for this microorganism to reside in the faeces. For this reason, you should avoid letting your cat sniff or approach the feces of other animals.
The parasite also lives in stagnant or contaminated water. In this regard, you should make sure that your pet does not drink from puddles. Other forms of contagion occur through licking between cats or from a female to her kittens during pregnancy.
Diagnosis and treatment for giardiasis in cats
Identifying the disease can be a bit difficult because, as mentioned before, parasites are not detected with the naked eye. In some very severe or advanced cases they can only be found in the animal’s feces.
The vet may review the sample and not observe anything, so it is essential to take it to the laboratory to analyze it under a microscope. In case no traces of the parasite are found, it is recommended to repeat the study until confirmed or completely ruled out.
As for the treatment, the most used today is probably the Elisa test, which detects giardiasis in dogs and cats in less than 10 minutes.
Once the disease is diagnosed, it is very important to take immediate action to completely eliminate the parasites that attack the intestines. The most common treatment is to take two drugs: metronidazole and fenbendazole, both together and separately.
They should be administered for 7-12 days, not forgetting any doses, as a single day without medication can cause a strengthening of the colony of microorganisms.
Also, you shouldn’t forget to make sure your cat drinks plenty of fresh water and thus avoid dehydration. Keep in mind that, as part of the treatment, the animal will suffer from diarrhea for a couple of days. This is the only way to flush out harmful organisms.
Do not forget to clean the area where your pet goes to the toilet thoroughly and often, removing the contents of the litter box twice a day. This way you will avoid a new infection or other animals – and even yourself – from getting infected.
Finally, remember that prevention is the best weapon we have to prevent our pets from getting sick. In addition to giving the giardiasis vaccine, keeping his toys clean and not allowing him to come into contact with stray cats are two other key measures to keep in mind.
