What is giardia in dogs?
Giardia infection (Giardiose) is a condition caused by a parasite in the intestines. If a dog has swallowed eggs (cysts) of the parasite, the parasite multiplies in the intestines. Giardia in dogs is a persistent intestinal parasite that can cause a lot of damage to the intestines, especially in puppies. It is the most common parasite (44%) followed by roundworms (26%). The parasite causes the intestinal wall to become damaged and to function less well. As a result, food such as proteins and fats cannot be absorbed into the body. The puppy will have a nutritional deficiency and will slow down in growth. Giardia can be recognized by (persistent) diarrhea complaints. The dog often has beige stools, contains mucus and has a mushy structure. Giardia in dogs often does not go away on its own. There is no vaccine, which is why Denkadog has developed a food.Denkadog Growing Up Sensitive helps with Giardia and Leishmania . Giardia can therefore be easily combated with food.
Treating Giardia in Dogs with Good Nutrition
Denkadog Growing Up Sensitive is a food that enables the dog to quickly build up resistance, but also reduces the symptoms (diarrhea) within a week. These crunchy chunks are specially developed for dogs with diarrhea and in particular diarrhea caused by the Giardia parasite. It is a completely natural and easily digestible dog food for puppies and junior dogs. It contains FOS, which is a prebiotic that stimulates the important bacteria of the intestinal flora.
Often the advice is given to give Panacur to the dog with Giardia. Panacur is a short-term solution. A dog runs the risk of getting Giardia again soon. By giving Panacur in combination with our food, you solve the Giardia problem permanently and the chance of getting it back is very small.

Giardia symptoms
Giardia mainly causes complaints in young dogs and dogs with reduced resistance. The complaints of an infection with Giardia are certainly not always serious, but do not disappear quickly. It is usually noticed because a puppy does not grow well and the diarrhea persists. This in combination with a dull coat and slimy beige stools.
In severe cases the following symptoms are also present:
– stomach cramps;
– vomiting/nausea;
– decreased appetite.
General resistance decreases, allowing the Giardia parasite to strike even harder.
How does Giardia infection in dogs occur?
Giardia in dogs is highly contagious. The Giardia parasite multiplies through cysts (a type of new Giardia). A puppy can become re-infected by sniffing and licking feces. The infection is therefore difficult to combat in a contaminated environment. The parasite can remain present in an environment for a long time. It is therefore common for a dog to become re-infected. Outside in places where many dogs come, Giardia is almost always present.
A large number of puppies are infected in the kennel where they are born. The parasite is taken by a puppy to the new home. Reinfection can quickly occur through eating or drinking contaminated food or water and through direct contact with feces of an infected animal (for example dogs that eat feces). Infection also easily occurs through sniffing, licking and eating feces. Dogs also sometimes sniff in the area around the anus of other dogs. This can also cause infection.
Which dogs get Giardia?
Dogs that are most at risk are mainly young dogs, because they have not yet built up sufficient resistance to Giardia. Dogs that have poor resistance (caused by stress, old age or illness) are also susceptible to giardia. Giardia in dogs occurs in 75% of kennels and can cause problems in puppies up to 1 year old. Once a kennel is infected, it is very difficult to eliminate the parasite.
Dogs that are imported to the Netherlands are also often infected with the Giardia parasite. They are often tested in the country of origin, but in 9 out of 10 cases the parasite is not visible. After the journey, which causes a lot of stress, the parasite comes into action.
Combating Giardia in Dogs
Giardia can be detected in the stool. There are various tests possible. For this you need to go to the vet. When a Giardia infection has been diagnosed, a deworming agent is often prescribed by the vet. Despite an effective medicine (Panacur) from the vet, the Giardia parasite will not disappear quickly. This is because there are many re-infections ( University of Ghent Fact DGK 2010-2011 A dog with recurrent Giardia; M Koelewijn ). There is no vaccine, which is why Denkadog has developed a food.Denkadog Growing Up Sensitive helps with Giardia and Leishmania. After your dog has been treated with a deworming agent, the intestines have a disturbed intestinal flora. This makes it important to relieve the intestinal flora.
Diet influences the intestinal flora, intestinal wall, mucus layer and immune cells. With a healthy hypoallergenic dog food you create a healthy gastrointestinal tract and less chance of damage to the intestinal wall. (Jergens AE (2007) chronic large bowel diarrheas. Internet reference: https://lib.ugent.be/fulltxt/RUG01/001/788/792/RUG01-001788792_2012_0001_AC.pdf http://wvc.omnibooksonline.com/data/papers/2007_V139 .pdf).
The most important measure to prevent infections is hygiene. Make sure everything is clean and stays clean. Think of the basket, cushion, cage, bench. The infection can then hardly go from dog to dog.
It is important that the puppy's resistance is built up as quickly as possible to limit damage to the intestines. The development of intestinal flora and immunity play a major role in this.
Also avoid exhaust areas where feces remain.
Experience/review Denkadog Growing Up Sensitive
Duck Toller
Noa the Duck Toller puppy of 3 months old suffered from alternating diarrhea that was a bit beige colored. Giaria infection was proven, but after the treatment it simply returned. With Denkadog Growing Up Sensitive kibble the complaints disappeared completely within 2 weeks. Denkadog Growing Up Sensitive is a complete maintenance food. It is therefore advisable to give this food until the puppy is adult.
Doberman
I bought a Doberman puppy from a breeder. I knew there was a Giardia (intestinal parasite) problem. Once with us it came back and with medication from the vet it did not get better. After 14 days of Denkadog Growing Up Sensitive the nasty smelly stool was no longer there and my Doberman became a lot more lively and grew again.
Follow us on Social Media


Leave a comment
This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.