LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Giardia: Dogs
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Species of Giardia are morphologically similar. It was customary to give each Giardia a different name when it was found in a new host. For examples, the Giardia in dogs was called Giardia canis; in cattle, Giardia bovis, and so on. Today scientists believe that few species occur, and each species can infect more than one host. However, more research is needed on identifying each species and determining the hosts they can infect.
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Life cycle of Giardia | Species of Giardia | How do dogs get Giardia ? | Can people get Giardia from dogs? | What harm does Giardia do to dogs? | How to know when a dog has Giardia | How to be sure a dog has Giardia | How to treat a dog for Giardia
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In 1999, a killed, whole-organism vaccine (GiardiaVax, Fort Dodge Animal Health) was approved for use in dogs in the U.S. and has been shown by the manufacturer to reduce the shedding of Giardia cysts after experimental infection. (9/20 vaccinates shed cysts on day 7 after infection and 0/20 vaccinates shed cysts on day 42 after infection, compared to 10/10 placebo controls on both days.)
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The significance of Giardia in dogs is still not certain. Although Giardia has been reported from dogs with diarrhea and dysentery, it has ... been reported in apparently healthy dogs. Clinical signs usually occur in dogs less than one year of age. But giardiasis may also occur in older dogs, or in animals suffering from other diseases, or those undergoing chemotherapy.
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The prevalence of Giardia in dogs of Alberta is not known. However, rates of 5 to 10 per cent have been suggested. This level is consistent with those reported in surveys from the United States and many other countries.
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Benzimidazoles may have anti-Giardia effect by interacting with the colchicines site in tubulin in the microtubules, resulting in the disruption of assembly and disassembly. Selective toxicity is achieved because the drug is minimally absorbed from the host intestine. Fenbendazole is very safe in dogs and cats and was effective (approximately 90%) for the treatment of giardiasis in at least 2 short term studies of experimentally infected dogs. However, cysts shedding was only eliminated in 4 of 8 cats with concurrent giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis when administered fenbendazole at 50 mg/kg, PO, daily for 5 days. Albendazole has been associated with hematologic toxicity in both dogs and cats. Since albendazole efficacy is unlikely to be greater than fenbendazole and the drug is apparently more toxic, it should not be used routinely.
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