LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Giardia: Water
built 631 days ago
In the United States, Giardia is a major cause of waterborne outbreaks of diarrhea. Giardiasis occurs primarily in mountainous areas where water supplies have become contaminated with feces from humans or possibly from animals, such as beavers. Because outbreaks have occurred from Washington state to New York state, campers and backpackers should avoid drinking any untreated water from mountain streams.
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The best way to avoid Giardia is by treating any water source in the outdoors before you drink it and practice proper hygiene. Today there are three practical solutions to treating your water, and one somewhat unpractical one. You can boil your water, treat it chemically, filter it with or without additional chemical treatment, and finally you can use a reverse osmosis filter.
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Because Giardia crosses species and can infect people, sanitation is important when caring for dogs. Kennel workers and pet owners alike should be sure to wash hands after cleaning dog runs or removing feces from yards, and babies and toddlers should be kept away from dogs that have diarrhea. When traveling with Fido, owners should prevent him from drinking potentially infected water in streams, ponds, or swamps and, if possible, avoid public areas polluted with feces.
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The key to avoiding Giardia and other water borne pathogens is know your water source and treat it accordingly. Boiling water is the cheapest, fastest, and most effective way to assure it safe from biological pathogens (but not chemicals). By following some common sense advice you can have a great and safe time while in the outdoors and not suffer the symptoms of beaver fever later.
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The best way to prevent Giardia infection is to make sure that your dog has safe, clean drinking water. It is important not to allow dogs to drink water from areas where other animals have left their feces. Your veterinarian can perform a test on your dog’s feces to see if it has giardiasis. If your dog is infected with Giardia, your veterinarian can prescribe safe, effective treatment.
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Giardia is passed in the stools of an infected person or animal which may contaminate food or water. Transmission is likely to occur in places (e.g., daycare centers) where handwashing practices are poor.
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