Puppy with Giardia
 

Hello,

I just was sold a puppy with giardia.

Do you think I should return the puppy to the breeder?

Does anyone know how serious giardia is?

I am not sure what to do.

Thank you.

I wouldn't I was sold a puppy wirh coccidia and fleas....He was also hypoglycemic....everyone said return him...I couldnt do it...we crossed paths for a reason so I dtuck it out and he is a healthy happy baby boy! I cost me a few buck (few hundred) but he is worth it!! Just my opinion....I wish you luck and strenght in your decision!!!! Keep us posted!!:)

try this
 

Hi~

I am sorry that this has happened to you! I, too, just recently received a new puppy and she was diagnosed with Coccidia and now the vet thinks that she could also have Giardia....we have to take a sample to the vet tomorrow. I would like to know the answer to your question, too. My biggest concerns are my two small toddlers and also my other pets.

Tammy

What should I do?
 

Do you think I should return the dog to the breeder?

I bought the dog from a reputable breeder who is AKC and in the YTCA.

I am not sure how to handle the situation.

I was told by my vet that both giardia and coccidia are very common. Many dogs have them and just don't show signs until stressed (traveling). Breeders that know this usually treat any puppy that leaves their place. (even when they are not showing signs, as a preventative.) This way the new owners does not end up with a sick puppy from something that is very treatable. Two common treatments are Albon and Flagyl

That is up to you. I would not return. I would ask breeder to help with vet bill but she could ave gotten this from eating bird poo or many other contaminated outdoors things. If she is reputable breeder she should know about this parasite and help you treat it. It is very treatable and its not hundreds to treat. Just my opinion. How long have you had her? How sick is she acting??

Is Albon also used to treat Giardia or just Coccidia?

NO! My Lola had giardia when i got her and she took some medication and was fine within a week. It's not serious and all it takes is a liquid med to get rid of. I would NOT take the puppy back if i were you. Just take the pup to the vet and get the med. Just let the breeder know so that the other puppies can be treated. Your baby will be fine. Hope he/she feels better.

i would keep it.....thats not a very seriosu problem compared to so many it could be.....just make sure the breeder pays for the treatments..

Giardia can be very serious if left untreated, but I'm assuming that you will be taking this pup to the vet and getting the proper meds for him/her. The breeder should be able to help with the vet bills if you just got him/her.

Both. We reach for the Albon before the Flagyl when anyone here gets loose stools. If the stool just looks runny, I also use kaopectate, but that won't help with Giardia or Coccidiosis. I freaked out the first time one of the puppies sent out ended up with Giardia. The vet reassured me it was very common. He said it is in the soil and very easy for a dog to pick up if around any water (lakes, ponds,etc), even puddles in the yard. Now EVERY dog gets treated before they leave. We also worm with Panacur every other month or so. Rotate it with Pyrantal Pamoate for the older dogs. All older dogs also get Heartgard once a month which is a wormer too.

Puppy
 

I picked up the puppy on Thursday afternoon.

I had the stool tested on Friday morning at my vet.

The dog was not in contact with any other dogs or walked outside.

The dog was gived bottled water.

I think it will cost me a few hundred dollars to treat between the medications and stool testing.

I just can't believe that a reputable breeder (AKC and member of YTCA) would sell someone a dog with giardia.

I feel lied to and cheated.

I can't speak as a breeder since I'm not one. But I do know that Giardia can be very common. Dogs can have traces of it in their system and when exposed to stress, it can flare huge in a very small amount of time. Most breeders regularly worm their dogs and give preventative meds for giardia and coccidia, but that doesn't mean that a flare won't happen.

Giardia does not mean the pup was raised in dirty conditions. It is found in almost all bird droppings and the spores then become airborne and can be found on most surfaces.

My Sissy has had it twice, the first time when she was 9 months old and again just a few months ago at 18 months. Everything the pup comes in contact with needs to be thoroughly disinfected with a bleach solution. There will be active spores in your pup's stools, so they need to be discarded immediately. Using baby wipes for your pup's bum and feet is also recommended.

I'm not sure what type of meds your vet is using, but it is standard to take a new pup for a vet check following a purchase and a stool sample is always part of this check. So outside of the cost for that, our meds were $25 and the stool sample is $18. My vet gives liquid Metronidazole (1 cc twice per day for 10 days) as the Pancur did not work for us. With Sissy's first bout of giardia, we needed two rounds of meds for it to clear. Stools should not be rechecked until after a month as the meds need to clear before they can be certain the giardia has not come back.

Most important is to make sure your pup continues to eat. Giardia can cause them to become anorexic. Good luck with your pup. Although it can be a bugger to get rid of, it is minor in the grand scheme of things. PM me with any questions you might have. Having been through this twice, I unfortunately feel like somewhat of an expert!!!

And before I forget, welcome to YT!!!