LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Giardia
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When a child is adopted from abroad, stools for ova and parasites and Giardia antigen should be obtained. Then if there are Giardia cysts and/or Giardia antigen, the child should be treated with either Furazolidone (Furoxone) or Metronidazole (Flagyl) which are prescribed by your physician. Adults who have traveled to the childs country of origin should ... be assessed for Giardia if there are symptoms of abdominal pain and/or a change in bowel habits. The changing of diapers of infants and toddlers should always be accompanied by good hand washing habits. Giardia cysts are easily transmissible.
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Determination of the immune response of dogs to Giardia has yet to be determined. Because most infections are usually self-limiting, many researchers suggest an acquired immunological resistance to the parasite. Epidemiologic research suggests that previous contact with Giardia may serve to increase resistance to re-infection. Although the exact mechanism of immunity is not completely understood, humoral immunity is considered to be important in the elimination of Giardiatrophozoites from the host intestine. Immunologically naïve and immunocompromised hosts have been found to be more vulnerable and ... suffer more severe and chronic infections. Research has shown, in experimentally infected humans and animals, that the immunocompetent host produces specific mucosal and serum antibodies against both cystosolic and surface Giardia antigens.
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It is commonly taught that three stool specimens are required to detect intestinal parasites such as Giardia but several studies have shown that >85% of cases are detected on the first specimen. When evaluating chronic or relapsing diarrhoea it may be necessary to send up to three specimens for testing.
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Giardiasis is diagnosed by examining a stool sample under a microscope to look for Giardia cysts. Because a stool sample might contain only a few cysts, and they can be easy to miss, diagnosis sometimes requires several tests over several days.
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Generally, Flagyll, Metronidazole are used to treat Giardia, but it just returns once these drugs are stopped. I have found the best way to tackle this problem is to use Panacur wormer for 3 days and repeat it again in 2 weeks, taking the same 3 day dosage and dividing it up over 10 days to get it at all stages of the cycle. Flagyll and Metronidazole are only 40% effective any more and are usually a waste of time and money in Giardia situations.
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Children with Giardia can be irritable and have behavioral disturbances. Because of malabsorption of nutrients, they can fail to thrive and suffer growth failure. This is probably a common problem for children in orphanages.
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Giardia