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Monday - Friday 8.30am-6.00pm Saturday 9.00-12.00
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Giardia can affect any animal, but it is more likely to be contracted by younger pets. If you suspect your dog or your cat has Giardia, tests at Kensington Veterinary Care provide results in just 10 minutes to give you peace of mind.
Giardia is a tiny parasite that harms pets’ stomachs. When swallowed, Giardia cysts release forms called trophozoites in the small intestine. These forms stick to the gut lining, grow, and upset digestion. The infection from Giardia can last weeks or months in your dog or cat. Some pets show no signs at all but can still spread cysts into their surroundings.
Giardia spreads when pets swallow cysts, the parasite’s infectious form. These cysts are then in the faeces of infected animals. They can pollute water, food, or surfaces.
Pets may also swallow cysts while grooming or drinking dirty water like puddles, with dogs being at higher risk of ingesting them. Cysts are tough and can live in damp places for weeks or months. Therefore Giardia organisms are endemic to many parks, especially those that contain ponds or lakes.
Pets can easily catch Giardia in surroundings that are densely populated such as parks, kennels, pet shops or animal shelters. Cats are less often affected by Giardia but can still ingest the parasite especially in homes with more than one cat. The most at risk pets are puppies and kittens because their immune systems are still growing.
At Kensington Veterinary Care, we can test for Giardia quickly. Early testing keeps your pets safe and stops the parasite from spreading.
“We can test for Giardia and provide results in just 10 minutes to give you peace of mind.”
Giardia in dogs and cats can cause a variety of different symptoms. Some pets may seem healthy and not show any signs at all, but they can still spread the parasite.
The most common signs are:
Puppies, kittens, and older pets with weak immune systems can suffer from more severe symptoms. If your pet shows any of these signs, contact our practice for a consultation with a vet.
You should contact us if you are concerned that your dog or cat has symptoms of Giardia, or if they’ve recently had contact with another pet suffering from the parasite.
Diarrhoea lasting more than a few days, together with dehydration or tiredness, needs urgent veterinary care. Other worrying signs include frequent vomiting or significant weight loss.
Keeping things clean helps stop Giardia from spreading. Following these cleaning tips can help prevent the parasite:
Vet visits help catch Giardia early and prevent it. Regular check-ups let vets spot problems before they get worse and tests like faecal exams can help detect parasites early.
At our practice in Kensington, you’ll get expert advice from our team. Our quick tests give results in 10 minutes, so treatment starts fast, keeping your pet safe.
Giardia in dogs and cats can be controlled if diagnosed and treated early with good care. Finding it early helps stop re-infection and ensures treatment works. Clean surroundings and regular pet health checks also help to ensure prevention for your furry friends. If you are concerned that your dog or cat is showing signs of Giardia, get in touch with our practice today.
The care and health of your pets is Kensington Veterinary Care's top priority. That is why we offer a comprehensive first opinion veterinary service for your furry friends.
Kensington Veterinary Care understand how special your pets are to you. That’s why we strive to provide only the highest quality veterinary care.
