Giardia canis and Giardia cati live and reproduce in the lumen or the inside of the small intestine. They are motile protozoa and move freely throughout the intestine, although they can attach to the wall of the small bowel. Both the motile form (the trophozoite) and the cyst form are passed intermittently in the feces. The motile forms can only be detected in freshly obtained samples. The cysts do not show up on routine fecal preparations and must be examined using special techniques. There are special laboratory tests now available to detect Giardia in feces that are much more sensitive than routine fecal exams.

Giardia in kittens can cause a severe, watery diarrhea. Feces can be blood tinged and patients can become severely dehydrated. In older cats, the diarrhea is persistant, but usually less severe. The chronic nature of the illness can cause poor digestion and poor body condition. Because it is known that humans can be infected by other animals shedding Giardia cysts (usually into water sources), it is only prudent to assume that dogs and cats with Giardia are potential sources of human infection. Humans with Giardia infection have severe, persistant, chronic diarrhea and debilitation.

Giardia infection is treated with antibiotics, however, some recent cases have shown resistance to traditional antibiotics. A vaccine is now available to protect cats and dogs from Giardia infection.

Also read Giardia - one cause of diarrhea..

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• Protozoa

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