Haven Animal Hospital

7775 South Rainbow Blvd., Ste 160
Las Vegas, NV 89139

(702)260-6260

www.havenah.com

Giardia is a single-celled protozoal organism that lives in the small intestine and is often associated with diarrhea in dogs and cats that have consumed contaminated water. It is uncertain whether people may become infected with the Giardia species that are shed from dogs and cats. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends humans take full precautions around infected animals.

The life cycle of Giardia begins when cysts are ingested and then excyst in the duodenum which is the first part of the intestine.  Each cyst will produce 2 motile trophozoites that will replicate within the lumen of the small itnestine.  Before being shed in teh feces, the trophozoite encysts.  On excretion, the cysts are infective to another host (dog, cat, human).  cysts can survie for days to weeks in a cool, moist environment. 

The trophozoites couse sloughing of the intestinal epithelial cells resultin in malasorption which is seen as diarrhea.  The diarrhea may be persistent, intermittent, or self-limiting.  


Giardia Cyst                Giardia Trophozoite             


  
Giardia Zoonotic Life Cycle

Giardia is difficult to eliminate because the organisms seemingly may become resistant to some drugs.  Immunodeficiency or concurrent host disease may make it difficult to eliminate the organism.  Also, there is the potential for reinfection because the giardial cysts are rather resistant to environmental influences and autoinfection can occur from fecal material adhered to the hairocat which can contain infective cysts that can be reingested during self-grooming.

It is extremely important to wash you hands after handling animal feces.  It is equally important to pick up fecal material after your animal companion defecates to minimize the risk of exposure. 


7775 South Rainbow Blvd. Suite 160

Las Vegas, NV 89139

Call (702) 260-6260