Is the Dog Giardia Vaccine Safe

by Anonymous Reader

I have 2 french bulldogs that keep becoming reinfected with canine giardia. We live on a farm and there is a pond that they never drink from however we do have ground hogs. I don't allow the dogs to eat anything in the field and pull their faces up when I see them smelling something in the field.

The water from the pond will overrun into the field after a heavy rain and the field will be wet for a few days until the sun dries it, however the ground is wet but not puddled or standing water.

They both get on medication within 20 days after they are infected again.

HELPPPPPPPPPPPP! This is crazy.

I feed them Blue dog food kibble and add green string beans and steamed chicken.

Vet suggestion Dog Giardia Vaccine Safety

Hi,

As you have unfortunately learned firsthand, Giardia in dogs can be a frustrating condition to deal with. I have a few questions for you.

Are your dogs developing diarrhea from their Giardia infections or is your veterinarian simply finding Giardia on a fecal exam or other diagnostic test and recommending treatment?

If it’s the former, I would stop treating the Giardia directly and instead focus on their overall GI health to promote their own resistance. Try a probiotic like Fortiflora and perhaps a change in diet to a higher fiber food. Also, clean up feces as quickly as possible or restrict their access to potentially contaminated areas.

If they do have diarrhea, some individuals seem to respond better to different medications. Fenbendazole is the first choice, followed closely by metronidazole, and some doctors even use the two drugs together. Other options include, azithromycin, tinidazole, quinacrine or nitazoxanide.

As far as I’m aware, the Giardia vaccine is no longer being made because it was so ineffective.

Good luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM