Lurking Sockpuppet Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Bu, whom I adopted 1 week ago was taken back to the shelter today for his scheduled surgery (neuter). Sadly, it turns out that the diarrhea that he has had for the past week, that I mistakenly though was caused by the hookworms that he is currently being treated for is actually caused by Giardiasis. I feel like a bad mommie. But at the same time wonder why when I took him to the vet last Wednesday they didn't catch it then. The told me he had hook worms and gave me 3 doses of Pyrantel Pamoate to treat him for them but said nothing about Giardiasis. So, Bu's back home tonight with a prescription of Metronidazde 250mg. I have never heard of Giardiasis. Any one have any experience with it? Needless to say his surgery has been postponed until it is cleared up. Sockpuppet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurae Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 I am so happy to hear your pup has giardia. No, really! I was so afraid you were going to say that he has parvo that I didn't even want to read the rest of your post! But giardia is very treatable, caught early. Lots of pups get it. Your pup should be fine in a few days with the Metronidazde. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurking Sockpuppet Posted July 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Sorry, should have been more specific in topic. Yes, glad it isn't something as serious as parvo. I'm just feeling guilty that he's been sick for the past week and I had been ignorant of it. I am relieaved to hear that it is easily treated. The shelter didn't really give us any information just "He's sick, this is what it is and give him these meds", "didn't you notice", and "he can't come back for surgery till he's cleared from his vet." They had me pretty scared. Sockpuppet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurae Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Well, it's not like you didn't notice--you were under the entirely plausible impression that his diarrhea was the result of his worms! (Sounds like the shelter staff are not exactly the most empathic or patient people in the world...perhaps they are just super busy and didn't intend to sound quite so short with you.) Don't beat yourself up--you're taking good care of your pup PS I love your avatar--cracks me up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbc1963 Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 I had giardia when I lived in Alaska. Ah, the spring melt trickling over the beaver dam, picking up poop! Made a lot of us non-natives sick. One of my friends, a husky guy, lost something like 40 lbs. in 10 days, from starvation and dehydration brought on by giardia! BUT, the natives in the villages had all been exposed as tiny babies, were apparently carriers, and just fine. And my case was much less severe than other people's I'd seen. I'm guessing all the dogs had it, since they drank the same water as we did and were never treated. Your pup should be feeling much better quickly! Mary Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue R Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 My Bute came to me with giardia (and hook worm, also, which took us several treatments to eliminate). I took him to the vet when I'd had him just a few days, both for his well-puppy exam and also for his not-so-well puppy exam (as he had diarrhea since I got him). The vet was able to diagnose giardia from a very fresh stool sample (courtesy of Bute "doing his thing") outside in the dog walk area. I believe it is hard to diagnose without a very fresh sample so that could be why it was overlooked in your Bu. Make sure to be extra diligent about cleaning your hands - it is easily transmitted to humans who get their hands soiled from the infected animal's stools. Not a problem in my case but I was at the vet's one day when a young couple came in with a sick kitten, and they hadn't been feeling too good themselves - you get the picture. As Bute had a number of digestive issues as a youngster, and we had problems getting a food that agreed with him, I have had him checked for giardia since but, so far, no problems there. Things should be fine after the treatment - best wishes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliepoudrier Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 ^^Agreed. Giardia aren't always easily detected. The metronidazole will clear it up. J. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2 Devils Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 My acd had giardia a few years back. I was lucky though. My vets caught it before any symptoms occurred. She was in for a well checkup. Anyways, giardia is very hard to detect so don't blame yourself or even the vets. I was told it takes a very good tech to find it sometimes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bc4ever Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Make sure to be extra diligent about cleaning your hands - it is easily transmitted to humans who get their hands soiled from the infected animal's stools. Not a problem in my case but I was at the vet's one day when a young couple came in with a sick kitten, and they hadn't been feeling too good themselves - you get the picture. I'm glad you mentioned that. I was about to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lurking Sockpuppet Posted July 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 Ok, I took Bu back to the vet yesterday to see if he was ok to proceed with neuter. After hearing that he still has diarrhea she did another fecal test. No go. Even after 2 doses (10 days apart) of Pyrantel Pamoate he's still "full" of hookworms. The vet has now put him on Panacur for the next five days and will repeat in 3 weeks and 3 months. She also changed him from Heartgard plus to Interceptor. I'm crossing my fingers that this works. worried mommie, Sockpuppet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1sheepdoggal Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 Poor pup. A friend of mines dobie pup is going through the same thing right now. Hope the Panacur does the trick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Bo Boop Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 You might take extra precautions about those hookworms as well. A couple of gals that we trial with, developed some gastric problems, one lost all kinds of weight...both had varying symptoms, that lasted for a month or so I believe. Doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with them. The one gal ended up going to the emergency room, she was extremely anemic...well long story short turns out both gals had hookworms! They had both been in the kennel with a puppy that had been brought in with a hookworm infestation, they'd been wearing flip flops, and evidently this is how they got infected, scary stuff. The good news though is that a dose of wormer and they were good as new ;-) So wear your boots around that puppy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenajo Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 Panacur is a better treatment for giardia than metonidazole anyway. Less side effects. The 5 day treatment should clear up both. As with any parasite, retreatment in 21 days is helpful to get residual worms. If he is very anemic from worms it may take several weeks, possibly over a month for him to get his energy back and normalize his stools even after the worms are gone. I put pups I deal with this on liquid vitamins (SeaSilver is a fav of mine and my vet's), probiotics, and a bland cooked diet. After they get a little stronger I switch to raw. Frequent, small digestable meals are very important. Even if you don't switch to raw I would still do the supplements, plus make sure it is a quality kibble. If this was my puppy I would so wait with any thoughts of neutering until this puppy is glowing with health. He doesn't need anymore set backs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenajo Posted July 10, 2008 Report Share Posted July 10, 2008 deleted - double post Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljrphoto Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 My vet told me that hookworms are not easy to get rid of so don't be too discouraged. Also, giardia often goes unnoticed, especially if there is something else that can explain whatever symptoms the dog has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippin's person Posted July 11, 2008 Report Share Posted July 11, 2008 Sorry to hear your puppy is sick--he probably feels pretty icky (but I also worried that it was parvo, so thank heavens it's not that) Be sure and clean up after him very well and as quickly as possible--hookworm larvae can hang out for a long time in the soil--particularly when it's moist and warm. We had a foster come in with hookworms and she was quite anemic from it. We've also had giardia in our pack, which cleared up with a Panacur (3 days of medication repeated in three week) and metronidazole (10 days worth, I think) combo. There was another thread recently about giardia--it's hard to get rid of completely, but most dogs eventually tolerate mild giardia, much like the folks in Alaska who Mary mentioned above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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