I just got the fecal test results back from my vet on my new rescue dog, Zoey- and she has giardia! Boy, am I glad I took her to my vet. She really didn't need to be vetted- the rescue had her vetted and spayed and she was given a clean bill of health, but I wanted her to meet my vet and for some reason, I felt it was important to take her. I am so glad I did!
So, what can you tell me about giardia? She is not showing any symptoms- no diarrhea or vomiting. The vet has given me 5 days worth of antibiotic (Panacur) and suggests I test her again in 4-5 weeks.
The vet's office thinks she was probably infected before we adopted her (we just got her last Saturday) due to the life cycle of the parasite. I was concerned that she got it from drinking the yucky water in my little fish pond in my back yard. I am going to fill it in since she is going near it (I was going to wait until the weather breaks)- neither of my other two ever go near it. Immediately after returning home I covered it up with a kiddie pool with some rocks on it, just in case.
Does anyone have experience with this? How hard is it to get rid of? How contagious is it (I know people can get it, but the vet said only with close contact with fecal matter)? Should I bring in fecals from my two other dogs immediately just to be safe? I'm worried about my old man dog, he's eleven. Roxy and Tank aren't showing any symptoms. This is just so upsetting!...