Dogs and cats can become infected with dangerous parasites when roaming through the garden or playing with other dogs. Caution is required, especially in public open-air areas. Giardia can sometimes survive for years on the ground and thus become a health risk for humans and animals.
Giardia are unicellular parasites that lodge in the small intestines of dogs and cats, where they multiply rapidly. The intestinal parasites are the causative agent of giardiasis, a serious disease that is particularly dangerous for puppies and young animals and can lead to serious developmental disorders. Giardia damages the lining of the small intestine and causes apparently untreatable diarrhea. They get out through the droppings and can survive here for months – until they are ingested by the next animal and spread further in this way.
The risk of infection is high. Puppies in particular often suffer from Giardia. But even adult animals with an intact immune system often harbor Giardia without recognizable symptoms of the disease and can in this way infect their environment unnoticed. The dangerous parasites are particularly concentrated in the limited free-roaming areas for dogs.
Human infection is a particular problem for young children and people with weakened immune systems. In adults with good hygiene, the risk of transmission is very low.
The pathogen triggers recurring diarrhea, the stool is light-colored, slightly slimy and smells unpleasant. Other symptoms can include vomiting, abdominal cramps, bloating and exhaustion. Puppies are at risk from the disease, since the high loss of fluids caused by diarrhea causes the animals to become dehydrated. If Giardia is suspected, the animal should be taken to the veterinarian. To make the diagnosis, the vet needs fecal samples from three days.