What to do - RE: Giardia!

[Sportyj]

Here's the deal. My 9 month old had runny stools with mucous in it about 2 months ago. Off to the vet we went, fecal came back negative and we were given a dewormer, I think it was panacur. Great stools, all clear in the fecal.

Fast forward 2 months, 5 days of mucous, greenish, brown and runny stools. Off to the vet again. Vet thinks MAYBE giardia, even though they have not seen Giardia in these parts for a LONG time (Phoenix, AZ). I am prescribed Panacur, Metronidazole, and Sulfasalazine. I am holding off on the giardia test because it is 90 dollars and looks like they gave me the treatment for it anyway. Is this odd? Is it imperitive I still do the test even though we are treating it? I am a little unclear on the TX of giardia and diagnosis anyway. I have NO PROBLEM doing the test if necessary, but they are treating it anyway. WEIRD.

[MARYDVM]

Metronidazole is a potent antibiotic against gram negative bacteria in the gut - as well as being a treatment for Giardia. It usually clears up diarrhea in less than 48 hours. The reason to find out if Giardia is present is because some dogs can be carriers of the infection despite treatment. If your dog responds well to his current treatment you could always hold off on testing, but do it in the future if the problem returns.

[Bastianboy]

I know you're in a different area than I am, but $90 seems really high for the test. My pups have been through similar issues and $23.50 later we knew exactly what was causing the problems (including Giardia). Regardless, the antibiotic should take care of it mostly, although I have been told that once you have Giardia it is always in the system. Good luck, I know how awful that is!

[SadiesDad]

Originally Posted by Bastianboy

I know you're in a different area than I am, but $90 seems really high for the test. My pups have been through similar issues and $23.50 later we knew exactly what was causing the problems (including Giardia). Regardless, the antibiotic should take care of it mostly, although I have been told that once you have Giardia it is always in the system. Good luck, I know how awful that is!

I had the snap test done and it confirmed what they caught on the slide. It was about the same price you paid. Almost a week on Flagyl, 1cc twice a day and new food she has no more of the trots. Sadie get's her checkup and next series on Tuesday. She's growing like a weed....

[SadiesDad]

Originally Posted by Sportyj

Here's the deal. My 9 month old had runny stools with mucous in it about 2 months ago. Off to the vet we went, fecal came back negative and we were given a dewormer, I think it was panacur. Great stools, all clear in the fecal.

Fast forward 2 months, 5 days of mucous, greenish, brown and runny stools. Off to the vet again. Vet thinks MAYBE giardia, even though they have not seen Giardia in these parts for a LONG time (Phoenix, AZ). I am prescribed Panacur, Metronidazole, and Sulfasalazine. I am holding off on the giardia test because it is 90 dollars and looks like they gave me the treatment for it anyway. Is this odd? Is it imperitive I still do the test even though we are treating it? I am a little unclear on the TX of giardia and diagnosis anyway. I have NO PROBLEM doing the test if necessary, but they are treating it anyway. WEIRD.

It does seem weird. Sadies stool test (2) of them came back clear. The 3rd was done and they barely caught a glimpse of the Giardia. The snap test confirmed it. To give her system a break, we tried a new Vet Diet by Eukanuba for puppies with intestinal disorders and almost immediately her stools changed in there consistency. We'll cut her back over to her normal food after the Flaygl is gone.