Preventing Giardia In Your Pet:

Don't Break the Bond, Break the Cycle of Infection

(NAPSI)-Pets are friends who bring loyalty, friendship and love to families, but sometimes they also bring exposure to disease. Giardia, the most common waterborne parasite affecting humans in North America, is one of the many illnesses that pets can carry. Giardia causes potentially serious and painful gastrointestinal illness in both pets and humans. What most pet owners don't know, however, is that a pet infected by Giardia can become a source for Giardia infection in other pets and potentially humans. Now there is a vaccine to prevent signs of disease associated with Giardia infection in dogs. Fort Dodge Animal Health was recently granted a license by the USDA for Giardia Vax,ª the first vaccine to prevent disease and reduce cyst shedding caused by Giardia infection in dogs. Like humans, pets become infected with Giardia through ingesting contaminated water. Pets can also be infected by licking their paws or haircoat after walking in an infected area. Because a pet infected by Giardia often contaminates its own environment or can carry Giardia on its haircoat, an infected pet may pass the disease to other animals and potentially humans. It is a problem that all pet owners should consider, because Giardia infection in pets may be more common than previously believed. A recent study involving more than 7,500 pets has indicated that as many as one in eight pets seen by a veterinarian may be infected with Giardia. Dr. Arne Zislin, a veterinarian with Fort Dodge Animal Health, says that some pet owners may be unaware that their pet is infected with Giardia. "Although Giardia's prevalence in dogs is well-documented, oftentimes there are subtle signs in an infected dog, and the pet owner is unaware of the problem," said Zislin. "This can cause a problem if the dog is contaminating the environment, posing a risk to other animals and potentially the pet owner." Hollie Matthews' dog Gabbie participated in the Giardia prevalence study. Gabbie most likely contracted Giardia from exposure to an area with standing water near her home in Lacey, Washington. Gabbie was diagnosed with Giardia at six weeks of age. Matthews said she knew to be cautious about interacting with her dog while recovering from the disease, which took two courses of medication to resolve. "We were really concerned one of us would get it," said Matthews. "I'm a biology major, so I'm familiar with protozoans. If your dog gets it and it doesn't get cured then she is still a carrier. That is a real danger." Matthews said that until Gabbie tested free of Giardia, she kept her away from other dogs when Gabbie was outside, and was cautious about her contact with family members as well. Although any pet is at risk for contracting Giardia, there are steps that pet owners can take to prevent the Giardia cycle of infection in pets. First, have your pet tested routinely for Giardia by your veterinarian. Often, dogs infected by Giardia show subtle symptoms that go unnoticed. As part of any treatment plan for Giardia, it is recommended that the pet's paws and haircoat be thoroughly cleaned. The pet's environment should also be cleaned. Keep your pet away from sources of water that may be contaminated. Finally, consider vaccinating your pet against Giardia annually with GiardiaVaxª. Available through your veterinarian, GiardiaVax has been proven to be an aid in the prevention of disease caused by Giardia infection. GiardiaVax is safe and effective for healthy dogs eight weeks of age or older. For more information about the risk of Giardia infection in pets, and GiardiaVax, call toll-free 1-877-444-5567.

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