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Trusted Contributor
Posts: 1,476
Registered: ‎03-21-2010

We use baby wipes in the winter when our dog walks on the road, it helps alot to get the salt off and I get a case at walmart for $8.00 the "parents choice fragrance free brand". It doesnt irritate his pads at all.

 

Also the pumpkin is good for the dogs ****** glands, it helps things going so they dont build up, we have a great vet who takes her time and explains everything in detail.  The pumpkin bulks up and helps it along.

 

Hope your girl is better today, it's worrysome for sure!

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,095
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Giardia is spread through contact with the feces.  It is not present generally in the environment.  It is not a worm, it is a protozoan.  Dogs can reinfect themselves by licking their butt or feet if they have stepped in poop that is infected.  It is possible that with a negative fecal check that your dog does not have giardia.  The immediate improvement with treatment of the Metronidazole, an antibiotic which has an antidiarrheal component could mean that it is a number of other things--a virus responding to the antidiarrheal component, or an infection other than giardia responding to the antibiotic.  If it isnt giardia, an infection or a virus, usually the diarrhea will come back.  Then you look at other possibilities that are affecting the gut like Food allergies or inflammatory processes for example.  While your dog is being treated wipe his butt after every poop to make sure that he doesnt reinfect himself, assuming he does have giardia.  Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly because you can pick up giardia from your dog.  Recheck your dogs poop in 30 days.  

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,095
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Giardia....

[ Edited ]

I really doubt that whatever is going on was contracted at your vet, really.  You may want to have bloodwork done if you havent had it done in the last few months.  In addition if after the metronidazole treatment the diarrhea comes back and you have a second negative fecal i woukd ask about an abdominal ultrasound.  

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,570
Registered: ‎06-13-2012

Re: Giardia....

[ Edited ]

@Shawnie wrote:

Giardia is spread through contact with the feces.  It is not present generally in the environment.  It is not a worm, it is a protozoan.  Dogs can reinfect themselves by licking their butt or feet if they have stepped in poop that is infected.  It is possible that with a negative fecal check that your dog does not have giardia.  The immediate improvement with treatment of the Metronidazole, an antibiotic which has an antidiarrheal component could mean that it is a number of other things--a virus responding to the antidiarrheal component, or an infection other than giardia responding to the antibiotic.  If it isnt giardia, an infection or a virus, usually the diarrhea will come back.  Then you look at other possibilities that are affecting the gut like Food allergies or inflammatory processes for example.  While your dog is being treated wipe his butt after every poop to make sure that he doesnt reinfect himself, assuming he does have giardia.  Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly because you can pick up giardia from your dog.  Recheck your dogs poop in 30 days.  


Actually another really common way for them to get giardia is through drinking water that has been contaminated by it so there does not need to be a direct contact with feces. For example, streams or rivers or even little rain puddles in areas where animals have pottied can all be culprits if the dog drinks from them.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,095
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Giardia....

[ Edited ]

thanks for pointing that out.  yes pooped in water would be contact with the giardia.  Around here more common from stepping on it and then paw licking i think because so many animals are leash walked.  Most adult healthy animals dont have symptoms and it just passes through their systems.  But the very young or old or otherwise compromised can be pretty sick.