Content
- What is giardia and how it affects cats
- What is giardiasis
- How is giardia contagion in cats?
- Giardia symptoms in cats
- Diagnosis of giardiasis in cats
- Treatment for giardiasis in cats
- Prevention of Giardia in Cats
Parasitic diseases are very common in mammals, be they humans or animals. The mode of contagion and the degree of damage they do to the body varies, but in all cases, these are conditions that need to be addressed..
Cats are animals known for their careful hygiene routine, but sometimes, the licks your cat uses to clean itself, among other reasons, can have negative consequences for your health, as they can end up contracting giardia.
On this occasion, at PeritoAnimal, we want to talk to you about giardiasis in cats - symptoms and treatment. It's a parasitic disease that spreads in ways you wouldn't even imagine, and it brings complications to your kitten's health and even to you.
What is giardia and how it affects cats
The name "giardia" refers to a protozoan parasite capable of causing some mammals, such as dogs and cats, to develop a disease called giardiasis.
Giardia licked or Giardia intestinalis is the scientific name of the parasite. It is an organism shaped like a flagellate protozoan, impossible to assess without a microscope. It can take two forms: variety trophocyte, which is the parasite itself swimming inside the intestine, and the cyst of the giardia, which is a tough, flagellum-free form that can survive outside the cat, lodged in its feces in moist environments, waiting for a new host.
Upon entering the cat's body, the trophocyte travels to the intestine and adheres to its walls, which ends up deforming this organ. By deforming it, the intestine ceases to perform its normal functions, so it does not adequately absorb the fats and vitamins that the cat needs to be healthy. That's why the giardia in cats must be treated as soon as possible.
What is giardiasis
Giardiasis is a disease produced by giardia, a parasite that affects the bowel the animal's thin and then the thick, producing problems that affect the entire digestive system, deteriorating the animal's general health.
Giardia in cats, and consequently giardiasis, is more common in animals with the low immunity, such as those suffering from feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency syndrome, in very young or very old animals, as well as in large cat colonies such as shelters.
It rarely causes death, but if symptoms are ignored, the cat can decompensate to the point that the infection ends its life. The parasite that produces giardiasis is highly contagious and it can even be transmitted to humans if your pet is infected.
How is giardia contagion in cats?
If your cat has access to the outside of the house or apartment, contagion is very easy, as it can occur in many ways. the giardia incubates in humid and unhygienic environments, therefore, your pet is likely to acquire the parasite if:
- It approaches places where other animals defecate, as it can come into contact with contaminated feces that contain giardia in the form of cysts, where they lodge until they find another animal whose organism they can invade. Contact with these feces, which can stick to your cat's paws and then be licked by it, is enough for the parasite to lodge in your body.
- Drinking in puddles of water that other cats have contaminated with the parasite is also a means of contagion.
- An infected cat can pass giardia to her kittens.
- In the animal's coat, when one of the cats cleans the anal region and then licks another feline.
All of these contagion channels don't just happen when your cat leaves the house. If you have a sick kitten at home and there are other pets, they can be infected in the same way.
Giardia symptoms in cats
In some cats, giardiasis can be asymptomatic, so the cat can live with the parasite for several years without ever showing any discomfort. Other cases, however, have some symptoms, like:
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Dehydration
- Weight loss
- intestinal disorders
Diarrhea, whether chronic or sporadic, is usually abundant and sudden, accompanied by bad odor, mucus and even blood. Faced with the combination of several of these symptoms, it is necessary to go to the specialist to rule out giardia in cats.
Diagnosis of giardiasis in cats
This part is often complicated. Technically, giardia in cats must be detected floating in the feces when it is found in the form of a cyst. However, not all stools contain the parasite, therefore, detecting your presence is difficult.
It is not enough for the veterinarian to examine the sample, it must be sent to a laboratory for analysis. If giardiasis is suspected and the parasite cannot be seen in the specimen, it is recommended that the test be repeated several times a few days apart, until the existence of the intruder can be confirmed or completely ruled out.
Currently there is also a type of test called Elisa, capable of detecting giardiasis in just 8 minutes.
Treatment for giardiasis in cats
When we identify giardia in cats, and there is a diagnosis for giardiasis, it is necessary act immediately to completely eliminate the parasite and prevent it from re-infecting. Generally the prescribed remedies for giardia in cats are the metronidazole and fenbendazole, alone or in combination. The treatment lasts for 7 or 12 days, depending on the case, and it is necessary to be rigorous in the administration, as a single day of forgetting can be enough for the giardias to get stronger again.
It is important to provide your cat with enough fresh water to avoid complications from dehydration.
In cases of diarrhea, you should immediately clean the place where the cat defecated, to keep spaces clean. Clean using gloves, then clean yourself very well to avoid getting the parasite.
You may need to help your kitten to clean the anal region, as diarrhea can be a little disastrous. Remove any remaining faeces from the cat's fur and fur to prevent the cysts from becoming lodged there. If your cat has long fur, it is advisable to trim the coat a little in the area to prevent the dirt from sticking.
THE cleaning of all spaces where the cat usually stays is essential for treatment. Wash these places with bleach diluted in water, scrub well and then rinse. Allow the space to dry completely before allowing the animal access, as giardia develops in moist environments.
Prevention of Giardia in Cats
Is it possible to prevent the cat from giardiasis? The answer is yes. There are simple measures that can protect your cat from getting this disease:
- There is a vaccine against giardiasis. It does not prevent you from being contagious 100%, but it reduces the chance of infection. Consult your veterinarian.
- keep one hygiene regimen of the spaces used by the feline, be it a sandbox, bed, toys, food troughs, etc. In this way, you will avoid the appearance of bacteria.
- Do not let your cat come into contact with stray animals.
- Do not allow him to use other animals' toilets or drink water in the same place as others.
- In case of diarrhea, wait a few days and if it doesn't go away, go to the vet.
- Get your cat's health checked regularly.
And now that you know all about giardia in cats, we recommend reading this other article on urinary problems in cats.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Giardiasis in Cats - Symptoms and Treatment, we recommend that you enter our section on Parasitic Diseases.