Treatment For Giardia In Dogs

Metronidazole

The drug Metronidazole also goes by the commercial name Flagyl. This medication is commonly used for treating diseases which result from infection with a parasite or organism. One of the unique characteristics of this medication is that it is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier, and that it is also useful as an effective anti-diarrhea medication. Common side effects are relatively rare, and include nausea, diarrhea, itching, dilated pupils and vomiting.

Fenbendazole

The drug Fenbendazole is marketed under the name “Panacur”. In addition to being used to treat Giardia in dogs, Panacur is also used to treat hookworms, roundworms, tapeworms and whipworms. Though this medication is available over the counter, it should only be used under direct instructions from a veterinarian. Side effects are uncommon, though may include nausea and vomiting.

Albendazole

Albendazole is marketed under the names “Albenza”, Eskazole”, or “Zentel”. It is used to treat a variety of worm and parasitic infections. Albendazole is not commonly used for treatment of Giardiasis, though may sometimes be prescribed by a veterinarian if other medications are ineffective. Side effects include hair loss, fever, nausea, vomiting, and temporary hair loss.

Furazolidone

The drug Furazolidone is marketed under the brand names “Furoxone”, and “Dependal-M”. In addition to being used to treat several different parasitic infections, Furazolidone is also useful treating the symptom of diarrhea which is usually present with Giardiasis.

However, in most cases, Furazolidone is not the first line of treatment used by veterinarians. Furazolidone is only effective 80-85% of the time, unlike some other drugs that have an effectiveness rate of 90%+ against Giardia.

In addition to this, the risk of systemic toxicity makes this a relatively unpopular drug to use by most veterinarians. Possible side effects are moderately uncommon, and include systemic toxicity, convulsions, nausea and vomiting. Another visible side effect is a noticeably brown discoloration of a dog’s urine.