Giardia

[LavenderRott]

While spending a leisurely evening at Mom's with a wonderful ham dinner, we settled down for some quiet time, talking, watching T.V., etc. The nine (yes, nine) dogs present had settled down in various parts of the living room, dining room to nap, chew rawhides or get scritches. All of the sudden, there was a horrendous scream from outside. I thought that one of the neighbor dogs had been attacked by wolves (this is in the city) or something from the sound of it. All the adults ran to the door to find my mom's greyhound standing in the side yard. We looked her over closely only to discover a broken toe nail with a drop of blood.

About an hour after I left, Maggie, the greyhound became violently ill and was rushed to the emergency vet. After bloodwork, smears and I.V. fluids, she was diagnosed with Giardia. She probably got it from my mom's African Grey parrot, but we are not sure yet.

Is Giardia contagious? Well, apparently it is, but can my dogs get it just from being around my mom's dog?

[chivas]

i dont know much about it but i think to be on the safe side - dont let your dogs near the ill dog's feces.

[Anne]

I think giardia is also spread by shared drinking water.

[Goniella]

YES Giardia is contagious to other dogs AND it is transmittable to humans as well!

[Judi W]

If I am not mistaken, the birds are more likely to carry cocci (similar symptoms). Giardia is mostly found in contaminated water and in the soil where infected dogs have lived.

[poohbearsmom]

that the poop is kept scooped, and the grounds are kept sanitized.... especially with 9 dogs on the premise... that would be a LOT of sick dogs in one place at one time.

Hope your greyhound gets over this quickly. Not a fun thing... I got Giardia from well water in Pennsylvania. ICK.... Not a fun bug to have.

Good luck with this.

[MARYDVM]

Birds can carry Giardia, but the species that infects birds is not considered to be transmissable to mammals (dogs or humans).

[Colbydog]

We got giardia from a shared water source. It is also easily gotten from steping in contaminated feces, and then later licking it. I know my boy cleans himself like a cat. I would watch, and if he starts "spitting mud" or vomiting, get him in and get checked. It could have come from anywhere easily with 9 dogs around. Also wash up good after all contact with him, you don't want it either.