{"id":778,"date":"2025-04-03T08:02:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-03T15:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.eastsacvet.com\/blog\/?p=778"},"modified":"2025-04-10T12:53:07","modified_gmt":"2025-04-10T19:53:07","slug":"giardia-in-dogs-what-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.eastsacvet.com\/blog\/giardia-in-dogs-what-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Giardia in Dogs: What You Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Giardia<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Is there anything better than going for a spring romp with your pup? We don’t think so. But one thing we don’t<\/em> want is for your dog to get exposed to Giardia this spring while you\u2019re out exploring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Giardia is a protozoal parasite that can cause gastrointestinal distress in dogs (and humans, but we digress). Understanding how Giardia spreads and how to prevent it can help keep your furry friend safe and healthy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Today, the team at East Sacramento Veterinary Center<\/a> will tell you everything you need to know about the pesky parasite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Giardia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Giardia <\/a>is a microscopic parasite that affects the intestines of dogs. When a pup has Giardia, she can suffer from diarrhea, weight loss, and dehydration. Because Giardia isn’t visible to the naked eye, it can often go undetected until symptoms strike.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dogs get infected when they ingest the parasite, usually through infected stool, contaminated surfaces, or contaminated water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where Do Dogs Get Giardia?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Giardia can be anywhere\u2014in the soil, running through creeks, and lurking on your pet’s favorite toy. The parasite can practically live forever in contaminated water sources like puddles, ponds, and streams. (OK, not forever, but for months and months.) Spring rains can make conditions even more favorable for the parasite<\/a>, putting your pet at further risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infected animals poop Giardia out through infected stool. This means if your pup licks, sniffs, or even just steps on infected poop, he can ingest Giardia cysts and get infected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, fecal particles have a way of getting on\u2026well, everything. If your dog steps on an infected stool, licks her paw, and then uses a water bowl, boom. <\/em>Giardia’s in the bowl. This is why Giardia spreads so easily from one infected pet to another. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of Giardia in Dogs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Symptoms of Giardia vary from dog to dog, but the most common signs include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n