What an unfortunate start to your ownership. Poor gal. Quite some time ago I received a very sick puppy (a large breed Komondor intended to be a guardian dog to my goats and sheep) and I just didn't realize she was sick until too late, which happened very quickly. I thought her loose stools were from a dietary change and I knew I was going to have messes to clean up with a puppy- I didn't know what was normal for puppyhood- I had only had a small breed adult dog (as an adult) for ten years. She had some issues with her internal development from poor breeding so she was not destined to make it unfortunately but among other issues she also had ghiardia. The vet did everything he could, I was so upset, I had given the nurses permission for her to be transferred to the major emergency hospital in town but the Dr called me and advised against it, said she was not formed correctly inside and that she could not get better, she died only moments later, it was really tragic.
We have six small children. I was the primary care provider for the puppy though, the official mess cleaner. I think I am very careful with my cross contamination cleaning behaviors, I was trained at a dental school with infection control practices etc so I don't know how it happened but I contracted ghiardia. I didn't know it either. It seemed completely seperate, I never thought I would have gotten sick from the puppy. I was terribly terribly ill for a month and a half before the Dr's figured out what was wrong with me. I continued with my generally infection control minded habits and good hand washing practices and nobody else got sick but by the end of it I was sleeping on the couch sipping Gatorade and my blood work was not looking so good. Anyhow they eventually figured it out and treatment was typical and easy.
That said, ghiardia is very common, not difficult to treat and in America with antibiotics, anthrlmentics and Gatorade we really don't have to worry. Bleach your grass, bleach your shoes, wash your hands, make and sure your kids wash their hands and keep her contained properly so you can clean properly until she is done with her treatment. Watch for her stool to firm up and re test her if your vet reccomends. Watch for signs and symptoms in yourself and your children, and I'm sure you will be fine. She is lucky you are bringing her back to health. Perhaps the indoor accidents will cease once she is all better.
__________________ Alyssa and Lilah    |