Giardia are single-celled organisms found in the small intestines of cats. These bacteria go through two states: a motile (swimming) stage, and a systic (pictured) stage. Giardia systs are the most common way that it is transfered from host to host. These cells can withstand freezing temperature and chlorinated water, and can live for several months, unless exposed to oxygen, causing them to dry up, or are exposed to sunlight.
Cats are infected by consuming the feces of other cats who are infected, most likely from sharing a litterbox. Giardiasis is the official name given to this infection. This disease can go undetected for years before the infected cat shows any signs of illness dur to this infection. In North America, only 4% of cats have been diagnosed with this infection.
The most common symptom of Giardiasis is diarrhea. Stools may contain blood, muccus, or flatulence, and the cat may lose weight or neglect grooming. Since these symptoms can indecate numerous other diseases, like Cancer, only a vetranarian can accurately determine and diagnose your cat.
Giardia can be diagnosed by fecal stools being examined under a microscope, and since the cells can be ellucive, more than one stool is needed to be examined.
Giardia is most commonly treated with an oral medication called “Metronidazole†(more commonly known as Flagyl.) Studies show that cats reject this drug more than dogs, so sometimes it takes several courses of this drug, or a change in medication, to treat this infection.
Effective cleaning and disinfecting of the litterbox will help prevent Giardia from spreading to other cats in your household.
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