Giardiasis is an intestinal disease that is caused by the intestinal parasitic Giardia organism. Cats and dogs, as well as humans, can be infected (although the sub-type that affects cats rarely affects humans).

The disease is spread through contact with soil, water or food that has been contaminated by infected faeces. The infection causes diarrhoea and vomiting. However, some cats can be infected with Giardia but won't have any symptoms so will remain asymptomatic.

Giardia can be found worldwide with outbreaks of infections occurring most commonly in crowded catteries or shelters. Kittens and immunocompromised cats are more vulnerable to infection but once diagnosed, giardiasis can be treated successfully.

What is Giardia in Cats?

Giardia is a single celled parasite that attacks the gastrointestinal system of infected cats. Infected animals pass Giardia in their faeces in the form of cysts. The cysts are resilient and allow the organism to survive for months in the environment, especially in cool, humid conditions.

When a cyst is ingested by a cat, the cysts open in the cat’s small intestines, releasing trophozoites. Trophozoites, the more active form of the organism, do not remain active for long in the environment. Trophozoites attach themselves to the intestinal wall and reproduce. New cysts are formed which then shed in the cat’s poo, ready for another cat, or other small animals to ingest and continue the Giardia life cycle.

What Are the Symptoms of Giardia in Cats?

Typically, cats infected with Giardia may not develop signs of infection until 5-16 days after exposure to the organism. Feline Giardia symptoms can include:

• Weight loss.
• Loss of appetite (inappetence).
• Diarrhoea (can be severe, light-coloured, and very foul smelling!).
• Flatulence.
• Lethargy (no energy).
• Vomiting.

However, not all cats will show clinical signs, and some may only have mild symptoms, and these can also be caused by many other diseases and health problems. Your vet will carry out a complete physical examination and use various tests, including blood tests, faecal sampling, intestinal biopsy, or antigen tests. These tests will rule out other causes of diarrhoea and confirm the diagnosis of Giardia.

Giardia in Cats Treatment

In most cases, Giardia infections in cats are mild. However, kittens or older cats with underlying health conditions that weaken their immune system can have severe diarrhoea and vomiting. In these cases, treatment may include fluid therapy, anti-sickness medication to treat or prevent dehydration and antibiotics.

Usually, giardiasis is treated at home, but if the cat is severely dehydrated, they may need to be given fluids intravenously at the hospital. The standard treatment for Giardia in cats is antibiotic medication, and multiple courses may be needed.

Some owners may have read articles on how to get rid of Giardia in cats naturally. Friends or online blogs may recommend various remedies such as adding apple cider vinegar, digestive enzymes, slippery elm, or pumpkin seeds to your cat’s food. However, these treatments are not usually recommended by vets and antibiotic medication is the best treatment for Giardia in cats.

How Can Giardia Infections Be Prevented?

As Giardia is spread to humans and animals via the faecal-oral route, decontamination of the cat’s environment is very important. Some cats may carry Giardia without showing any symptoms, so strict hygiene measures are necessary to prevent reinfection, especially in multi-cat households.

Cats that have been treated won’t be immune to further infections so reinfection can occur if Giardia cysts are left in the environment. Always clean and disinfect living areas (with dilute bleach, ammonia, or steam cleaning) to remove any Giardia cysts or trophozoites. Litter boxes, crates, bedding and anywhere your cat likes to nap can also be potentially contaminated.

Cats can also become infected during grooming if there are infective cysts from faecal matter on their or another cat’s haircoat. So, while your cat is being treated, bathing is recommended to remove any infective cysts from their coat.

If your cat is allowed outdoors, they can pick up Giardia from contaminated soil or from drinking contaminated water. Meticulously pick up any cat poo and dispose of it safely using gloves. This can help to prevent the disease spreading to other cats.

If your cat has picked up Giardia, it may be best to keep them indoors and away from any other pets. Your vet may also decide to treat other pets in the household as a preventative measure.

Watery diarrhoea, and pale and foul-smelling poo can be signs that your cat has giardiasis. So, if you notice anything unusual in your cat’s bowel habits, ask your vet for advice. If giardiasis is suspected, your vet will confirm the diagnosis using various tests and antibiotic medication may be prescribed to treat the source of infection.

Always wash your hands after playing with your cat and after changing their litter box and disposing of any cat poo. If your cat is diagnosed with Giardia, it’s important to decontaminate your home by thorough cleaning and disinfecting. This will help to eradicate the parasitic organism and prevent reinfection.

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis

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