Giardiasis

GIARDIASIS Giardia, a small protozoan, was first described in 1674 by Anton van Leewenhock, the inventor of the microscope. This parasite has been recently in the news, and the role of pets in transmitting it to people has been questioned. Giardia infections are not limited to humans. Dogs, cats, and other animals are known to have Giardia in their intestines. What's not known is if the Giardia in animals can be transmitted to humans. Studies have tried to show that the strain of Giardia that infect humans can also infect dogs and cats. Unfortunately, the results have been inconsistent, so we don't really know the role of animals in the spread of human Giardia. Giardia infection is considered to be the third most common infection found in dogs. Birds are affected as well. Many commercial breeding aviaries (especially parakeets and cockatiels) are considered to be afflicted with Giardia. The Center for Disease Control reports that Giardia is the most common intestinal parasite in people in the United States with 3-4 percent of the population estimated to be infected at any one time. The signs of Giardia infection in dogs can vary from none to watery stools, weight loss, unhealthy looking coat and skin conditions. Diagnosis of Giardia infections in pets can be diagnosed by your veterinarian. The drug that is most commonly used is called metronidazole, the same drug used to treat people. "It should be emphasized," according to Dr. Jarvinen of the Department of Veterinary Pathology at Iowa State University, "that humans are at a much greater risk of contracting giardiasis from other humans than from animals, and a human source of infection should be sought before incriminating animals". If a family member, human or otherwise, has chronic problems with giardia infections, it may be wise to test family members of the other species.

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