Giardiasis In Dogs Research Articles

Giardiasis and diarrhea in dogs: Does the microbiome matter?

Giardia duodenalis (Gd) causes intestinal parasitosis. The involvement of the intestinal microbiome in determining the infection's clinical phenotype is unknown. Investigate the fecal microbiome features in dogs with giardiasis. Cross-sectional study, including fecal samples of kenneled dogs with Gd diagnosed by fecal Giardia antigen dot ELISA. The fecal microbial compositional characteristics and dysbiosis index (DI) were compared between diarrheic and nondiarrheic dogs. Fecal samples of 38 Gd-infected dogs (diarrheic, 21; nondiarrheic, 17) were included. No differences were found in Faith's phylogenic diversity and beta diversity (weighted UniFrac distances) and in specific taxa abundances at the phylum, genus, and species levels, as well as in alpha and beta diversities between diarrheic and nondiarrheic dogs, and also when divided by sex or age. Among diarrheic dogs, alpha diversity was higher in males than in females (pairwise Kruskal-Wallis, q = 0.01). Among males, fecal abundances of the genus Clostridium (W = 19) and Clostridium spiroforme species (W = 33) were higher in diarrheic compared to nondiarrheic dogs. In diarrheic dog fecal samples, Proteobacteria were more prevalent (W = 1), whereas Verrucomicrobia were less prevalent in dogs <1 year of age than in older dogs. The fecal sample DI of 19 diarrheic and 19 nondiarrheic dogs was similar (median, -0.2; range, -4.3 to 4.5 and median, -1.0; range, -4.3 to 5.8, respectively). The fecal microbial composition of symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs with giardiasis is similar. Based on fecal DI, giardiasis is not characterized by prominent dysbiosis. Other host and parasite characteristics might determine the severity of giardiasis in dogs.

Efficacy of nitazoxanide to treat natural Giardia infections in dogs

BackgroundGiardia parasites cause gastrointestinal disease in humans, dogs, and many other animals worldwide. The treatment of dogs for giardiasis requires further investigation to ascertain levels of drug efficacy and the possibility of adverse side effects. Nitazoxanide (NTZ) has shown good clinical anti-Giardia activity in humans, yet it has not been evaluated for the treatment of giardiasis in dogs.MethodsThirty-five dogs, naturally infected with Giardia were divided into five groups (n = 7): dogs in group NTZ1, NTZ2, and NTZ3 were treated with a single oral dose of 37.5 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg, and 150 mg/kg, respectively, of NTZ on days 0 and 14. The fourth group was treated with a commercially available regimen that includes a combination of pyrantel, praziquantel, and febantel (FEB) administered orally for three consecutive days. Additionally, an untreated control group was established. Giardia cysts from the stool of each dog were quantified on days -3, 0, 5, 7, 9, 11, 14, 18, 25, and 28. Biochemical parameters were evaluated in all dogs, before the first treatment and after concluding the experiment.ResultsShedding of Giardia cysts was reduced in all treated groups when compared to untreated controls (P < 0.01). However, NTZ2, NTZ3, and FEB had a lower risk during the study. Furthermore, NTZ was also effective against another protozoan, Cryptosporidium spp. at doses of 75 mg/kg and 150 mg/kg, in contrast to the combination of febantel + pyrantel + praziquantel. Biochemical parameters of treated animals, namely, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase enzymes, remained within physiological ranges.ConclusionsBased on these results, the implementation of NTZ as a treatment for giardiasis in dogs is proposed. The administration of a single dose is an important advantage of NTZ because it reduces workload, particularly in animals placed in shelters and kennels, where handling of large numbers of animals is required, and personnel is frequently scarce.

Результаты применения препарата тронцил в терапии лямблиоза у собак

Objective of research: to study the therapeutic efficiency of domestic anthelmintic drug Troncil in the form of tablets for the treatment of giardiasis in dogs. The analysis of literature sources on the prevalence of giardiasis in humans, dogs and cats in the RF and abroad as well as recommended medications are presented in this article, test results of the domestic anthelmintic drug Troncil for giardiasis in dogs are provided. Materials and methods: Stool specimens from 20 dogs of a dog shelter were examined, Giardia spp. cysts were detected in fecal samples with the use of PCRdiagnostics. For this purpose, we used the test system of the laboratory ISOGEN GenPak DNA PCR to detect DNA of Giardia in biological samples from humans and animals using the polymerase chain reaction. PCR product was visualized by agarose gel electrophoresis using ethidium bromide staining, under UV light with a wavelength of 320 nm. The specific amplification fragment of a certain size allows us to presume the presence of DNA of the pathogen in the test sample. The combination anthelmintic Troncil was given within 3 days at a dose of one tablet to dogs The combination tablets were administered within 3 consecutive days to dogs infected with Giardia lamblia in a quantity of 1 tablet / 10 kg bodyweight per day. Results and conclusion: High effectiveness of treatment for giardiasis was registered, the excretion of Giardia cysts by infected animals has stopped. One of the main advantages of the drug Troncil is its high efficiency in comparison with the drug Metronidazole. The drug Troncil has provided a greater degree of security. There are no known contraindications for the drug Troncil. It may be given to puppies even from 6 weeks of age. The treatment with the drug Troncil may prove to be a very useful diagnostic tool because it is often used to exclude the diagnosis of helminthiasis and giardiasis in dogs with chronic diarrhea. 3day course of treatment is usually enough.

Prevalence and risk factors of Giardia doudenalis in dogs from China

The aim of this study was to carry out a survey for the presence of Giardia duodenalis infection in canine using ELISA and PCR and to identify risk factors for infection. Samples from 318 dogs’ feces living in nine cities in China were used in the present study. Each sample was tested for the presence of G. duodenalis-specific antigens using ELISA and 197 out of 318 samples were further examined for the presence of G. duodenalis using PCR. The overall rate of canines infected with giardiasis in the present study was 16.04 % and 15.22 % using ELISA and PCR, respectively. No significant difference was found between sex and Giardia positivity. Young dogs (up to one year) and living in communities were identified as risk factors for infection by multivariate logistic regression analysis. In conclusion, giardiasis in dogs was present in nine cities in China; as risk factors, young dogs (up to one year) and living in communities were of great significance. Giardia-infected canine should be treated for hygienic management to prevent transmission of the infection from dog to human.

Secnidazole for the treatment of giardiasis in naturally infected cats

Giardia duodenalis causes enteric infections in humans and animals worldwide. Inefficiency of metronidazole is commonly reported in the veterinary clinic routine in the treatment of giardiasis in dogs and cats. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of secnidazole in the control of infection caused by G. duodenalis in naturally infected cats. For this purpose two experiments were carried out. In the first experiment seven cats were infected with G. duodenalis and treated orally with a single dose of secnidazole (30 mg kg −1). In the second experiment a total of 16 cats were used, 11 naturally infected with G. duodenalis and five negative for the parasite. Animals were divided into three groups: group A ( n = 5) was composed by non-infected animals (negative control), group B ( n = 5) consisted of infected but untreated animals and group C ( n = 6) was composed by cats treated orally with a single dose of secnidazole (30 mg kg −1). Hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated before and after treatment. The first experiment reached 100% of efficacy because no cysts were found in the feces after treatment. However, doubts about intoxication and interference with hematological and biochemical parameters came to light. No side effects were observed, and the biochemical and hematological parameters of treated animals remained within physiological range, except for one feline which had elevation of liver enzymes. Based on these results, the utilization of secnidazole could be suggested for the treatment of giardiasis in cats. The main advantage of this treatment is that only a single dose is required, which is interesting in animals hard to handle like cats.

Giardiasis in dogs and cats: update on epidemiology and public health significance

Molecular data have defined seven genetic Assemblages of Giardia duodenalis, named A-G. Humans are infected with Assemblages A and B, dogs primarily with C and D, and cats with F. Assemblage A has been subclassified into subtypes A-I to A-IV: A-I has been reported in humans and animals, A-II in humans, and A-III and IV exclusively in animals. Assemblage B has broad host specificity infecting humans and animals. Recently, small numbers of dogs and cats have been reported to also carry Assemblages A-I or B. Because these genotypes are found primarily in humans, and no comprehensive studies to address zoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis are yet available, the potential role of dogs and cats cannot be conclusively excluded.

Cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis in dogs and cats: Veterinary and public health importance

Dogs and cats are the only domestic animals that still routinely reside in the same domicile as their owners around the world, and hence the interest in their role as reservoirs of potentially zoonotic agents. In the case of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis, current data suggests that dogs and cats do not routinely share their infections with healthy people. Dogs are hosts of Cryptosporidium canis and Giardia duodenalis Assemblages C and D. Cats are hosts to Cryptosporidium felis and G. duodenalis Assemblage F. Dogs and cats (and other animals) are sometimes infected with sub-Assemblage AI, an Assemblage also found in people, but people usually have sub-Assemblage AII. Unfortunately, severely immunocompromised individuals and malnourished children can be made ill by infections with C. canis and C. felis. People should practice good sanitation and hygiene to minimize environmental contamination and contact with the infectious (oo)cysts that may be shed by their pets.

Efficacy of Drontal® Flavour Plus (50 mg praziquantel, 144 mg pyrantel embonate, 150 mg febantel per tablet) against Giardia sp in naturally infected dogs

The therapeutic efficacy of praziquantel, pyrantel embonate and febantel (Drontal Flavour Plus) for three and five consecutive days was evaluated for treating naturally acquired giardiasis in dogs. In the study, 24 dogs naturally infected with Giardia were divided into three groups of eight dogs each. Dogs were treated at the recommended dosage for three or five consecutive days, and a control group remained untreated. Faecal samples from each dog were submitted to coprological examination from day-4 to -2 and at days 5, 7, 9 and 11. Faecal consistency was also assessed daily to study end. All dogs in the control group remained positive until study end. Giardia cysts were not detected in faeces of six of the eight dogs in the group treated on three consecutive days, and in faeces of five of the dogs in the group treated on five consecutive days. Unformed to diarrhoeic faeces were more often reported in dogs in the untreated control group than in dogs in both treatment groups. Efficacy of treatment for five consecutive days was not statistically better than treatment for three consecutive days.

Giardiasis in dogs and cats in the Belgrade area

Giardia infection is an ongoing problem in Serbia, since 8,0% of the children in the Belgrade area are infected. In the light of the zoonotic potential of Giardia infection, a total of 248 companion animals (167 dogs and 81 cats) were examined for giardiasis in the same urban area. The overall rates of infection in dogs and cats were 14.4% (24/167) and 22.2 % (18/81), respectively. Significantly (p<0.05, p<0.01) higher infection rates were found in stray (18.7%) and farm (36.4%) dogs than in household pets (7.4%). Furthermore, the rate of infection was significantly (p<0.01) higher in domestic cats than in household dogs (22.2%vs. 7.4%). The owners and all 16 of their family members of five out of the six household pet dogs excreting Giardia were Giardia-negative, while both the owner of one dog and the only other family member were Giardia-positive. The data demonstrate that potential animal reservoirs (dogs and cats) exist in urban Serbia and underline the possibility of transmission between dog and man in close contact, thus having important implications for the epidemiology of giardiasis in urban areas.

Efficacy of a drug combination of praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate, and febantel against giardiasis in dogs

Abstract Objective To evaluate efficacy of a combination of praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate, and febantel at 2 dosages for treating naturally acquired giardiasis in dogs. Animals 6 male and 9 female Beagles. Procedure Dogs were identified as naturally infected with Giardia sp, using the zinc sulfate concentration technique (ZSCT), and were allocated to 1 of 3 groups. Group-1 dogs were treated orally with a praziquantel (5.4 to 7 mg/kg of body weight), pyrantel pamoate (26.8 to 35.2 mg/kg), and febantel (26.8 to 35.2 mg/kg) combination, every 24 hours for 3 doses. Group-2 dogs were treated with the combination once. Group-3 dogs were nontreated controls. Four fecal samples were examined, using the ZSCT, from each dog of each group within 6 days of the last treatment. Dogs were considered to have giardiasis if 1 or more of the fecal samples had positive results for Giardia cysts. Dogs were examined daily for at least 10 days after the last treatment. Results Giardia cysts were not detected in the feces of any group-1 dog or in the feces of 2 of 5 group- 2 dogs. Cysts were detected in the feces of 5 of 5 group-3 (nontreated control) dogs. Signs of toxicosis were not observed in any dog. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance The current labeled dose (for treatment of various nematodes and cestodes, but not Giardia sp) of the combination given orally once reduces cyst excretion in Giardia-infected dogs, and should be considered for treatment of dogs shedding Giardia cysts, whether or not they have clinical signs of infection. (Am J Vet Res 1998; 59:1134-1136)

Adverse events associated with albendazole and other products used for treatment of giardiasis in dogs

Adverse events associated with albendazole and other products used for treatment of giardiasis in dogs

Giardiasis in dogs and cats

Giardiasis in dogs and cats

Evaluation of two test procedures for diagnosis of giardiasis in dogs

Summary Two commercially available tests, an antigen-capture elisa for use on fecal samples, and a peroral nylon string test for use in dogs, were compared with a zinc sulfate fecal concentration technique (zsct) for detection of giardiasis in dogs. Of 77 dogs and 164 fecal samples (from these dogs), 33 and 52, respectively were found to be Giardia-positive on the basis of results of the zsct. The elisa gave false-negative results for 10 and 14% of zsct-positive dogs and fecal samples, respectively, and false-positive results (relative to the zsct test results) in 13 and 10% of zsct-positive dogs and fecal samples, respectively. Of the 18 string-tested dogs, 14 were positive by results of the zsct. Of the 4 dogs that were Giardia-negative by zsct, 2 were Giardia-positive by elisa. Dogs were sedated and given water and metoclopramide to aid passage into the duodenum of the capsule containing a nylon string. Of the 21 string tests performed on the 18 dogs, only 5 strings reached the duodenum, and 0 of the 5 yielded positive results for Giardia sp. Because the string broke in 1 dog (leaving most in the gastrointestinal tract and, therefore, producing a risk of string foreign body) further string tests were not done.