Diarrhoea caused by Giardia
A cause which is often forgotten is diarrhoea caused by Giardia. Giardia is a protozoiasis parasite and consists of multicellular organisms, which can be found in various developmental stages. Giardia is the most occurring gastrointestinal parasite with dogs; 10-20% of diarrhoea with dogs is caused by Giardia. Our experience is that you must consider Giardia if your cat has diarrhoea.Giardia especially occurs with young kittens and it is less often found with older cats. Especially pay attention to Giardia if kittens with diarrhoea are offered by a cattery, animal home or farm.
In the table below you will find a summary of cats with diarrhoea which we have tested on Giardia. It is striking that Giardia diarrhoea especially occurs with young cats.
Giardia is a Zoonose; it is therefore also contagious for human beings !
Transmission takes place through the faecal-oral way. This means that the animal defecates cysts and that another animal or human being is infected with this by means of receipt through the mouth. Only 10 cysts are needed in order to pass an infection to a new host. In case of an infection about 100.000 cysts per gram faeces is secreted
Transmission takes place through the faecal-oral way. This means that the animal defecates cysts and that another animal or human being is infected with this by means of receipt through the mouth. Only 10 cysts are needed in order to pass an infection to a new host. In case of an infection about 100.000 cysts per gram faeces is secreted
Which cats are susceptible to Giardia?
Often, Giardia infections, with healthy animals, develop themselves without symptoms but they periodically secrete the contagious cysts. However, with cats with less resistance you will observe disease symptoms. Young cats and cats with a reduced resistance, for example due to illness or stress, could have Giardia diarrhoea. Especially cats which stay in a cattery, animal home or kennel can easily be infected with Giardia.
Often, Giardia infections, with healthy animals, develop themselves without symptoms but they periodically secrete the contagious cysts. However, with cats with less resistance you will observe disease symptoms. Young cats and cats with a reduced resistance, for example due to illness or stress, could have Giardia diarrhoea. Especially cats which stay in a cattery, animal home or kennel can easily be infected with Giardia.
Long-lasting diarrhoea
If a diarrhoea has become chronic, this means that the diarrhoea has been present for several weeks or even months, you should think of Giardia! Especially think of Giardia if your cat keeps having diarrhoea and your cat has been treated with medicines and has been given special food and there is no improvement.
If a diarrhoea has become chronic, this means that the diarrhoea has been present for several weeks or even months, you should think of Giardia! Especially think of Giardia if your cat keeps having diarrhoea and your cat has been treated with medicines and has been given special food and there is no improvement.
How does Giardia look?
Giardia gives a thin faeces or a kind of pulpy smelling diarrhoea. It might contain mucous and blood. You also often notice that the cats are sick and vomit easily, but they often keep their appetite.
Giardia gives a thin faeces or a kind of pulpy smelling diarrhoea. It might contain mucous and blood. You also often notice that the cats are sick and vomit easily, but they often keep their appetite.
The Giardia cycle
Giardia occurs in 2 forms.
• 1. The parasite stage = protozoa. Is a very small multicellular flagellate which can only be observed with a microscope with large magnification. Increase takes place by means of division and that is why the increase can go explosively. Out of every protozoa a cyst arises.
• 2. Cyst or also called oocyste. This is the very infectious stage. After secretion in the faeces the cyst is contagious during weeks or even months under cool and moist conditions.
• 1. The parasite stage = protozoa. Is a very small multicellular flagellate which can only be observed with a microscope with large magnification. Increase takes place by means of division and that is why the increase can go explosively. Out of every protozoa a cyst arises.
• 2. Cyst or also called oocyste. This is the very infectious stage. After secretion in the faeces the cyst is contagious during weeks or even months under cool and moist conditions.
The incubation period, period between receipt and development of disease symptoms, is 5-16 days. The secretion of the contagious cysts starts 7 days upon receipt. It takes place during 4-5 weeks with intervals. This contagious period can last much longer if the animal gets infected again.
Diagnosis
The protozoa used to be detected in very fresh faeces with a microscope. They, however, die fast outside the cat’s body and you don’t see them moving anymore. The cysts can also be detected in the faeces with a microscope; however they are secreted with intervals. It might therefore be that you cannot detect the disease although it is present.
Nowadays we can detect with a ready for use Giardia test if Giardia is present or not. The test is much more reliable and more sensitive than the microscopic way. With the help of a Giardia snaptest, antigens, small parts, are shown. With this test both living and died or collapsing protozoa can be detected!
The protozoa used to be detected in very fresh faeces with a microscope. They, however, die fast outside the cat’s body and you don’t see them moving anymore. The cysts can also be detected in the faeces with a microscope; however they are secreted with intervals. It might therefore be that you cannot detect the disease although it is present.
Nowadays we can detect with a ready for use Giardia test if Giardia is present or not. The test is much more reliable and more sensitive than the microscopic way. With the help of a Giardia snaptest, antigens, small parts, are shown. With this test both living and died or collapsing protozoa can be detected!
With the Idexx Giardia Snaptest you can simply make a fast and reliable diagnosis. The Giardia parts don’t have to be alive, which is important since the Giardia dies fast when it leaves the body.
Treatment of diarrhoea caused by Giardia
Metronidazol (Metrazol) or fenbendazol (Panacur) can be given. There are Giardia races which are not susceptible to metronidazol or fenbendazol. All animals in the household must be treated!
Metronidazol (Metrazol) or fenbendazol (Panacur) can be given. There are Giardia races which are not susceptible to metronidazol or fenbendazol. All animals in the household must be treated!
A good hygiene is very important. Always wash your hands after having touched your cat. Clean and disinfect the surroundings of your animal, this is important to avoid another infection.
Sometimes the diarrhoea doesn’t stop!
Sometimes the diarrhoea doesn’t stop despite of the fact that the Giardia has been fought successfully. We have experienced several times that the treatment has functioned well, but that the Giardia snaptest turned out to be negative. We then treat the diarrhoea with hypoallergenic food and digesting improving enzymes (pancrex).
Sometimes the diarrhoea doesn’t stop despite of the fact that the Giardia has been fought successfully. We have experienced several times that the treatment has functioned well, but that the Giardia snaptest turned out to be negative. We then treat the diarrhoea with hypoallergenic food and digesting improving enzymes (pancrex).
Conclusion
There are many causes for diarrhoea and it is important to make the right diagnosis so that the right therapy can be given. Standard, we almost always use the Giardia snaptest for cats suffering from diarrhoea. The snaptest shows you very fast if the cat has suffered from Giardia and the treatment can be adjusted to this easily.
There are many causes for diarrhoea and it is important to make the right diagnosis so that the right therapy can be given. Standard, we almost always use the Giardia snaptest for cats suffering from diarrhoea. The snaptest shows you very fast if the cat has suffered from Giardia and the treatment can be adjusted to this easily.
Giardia is often overlooked by veterinarians!
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