Changes

==Treatment==

==Treatment==

It is particularly important to treat giardiasis in animals owing to its zoonotic potential. In the UK, fenbendazole is licensed for use against ''[[Giardia]]'' at a dose rate of 50 mg/kg daily for three days. Metronidazole may also be used at 20mg/kg for five days in dogs, and at 25mg/kg for seven days in cats. However, metronidazole is only 67% effective in dogs and has a bitter taste. A combination of febantel, praziquantel and febantel (Drontal Plus) can be used in dogs. Following treatment, it is advisable to repeat faecal examinations to confirm the efficacy of treatment and to detect re-infection. As well as drug therapy, thorough cleaning and disinfection of the enivronment and the animal's belongings is essential. Shedding of cysts can be difficult to detect and so in contact animals may be treated concurrently.

reported in the literature. In the 1990s, interest increased

in the use of the benzimidazoles and now fenbendazole

(Panacur; Intervet) is licensed for the treatment of Giardia

infection at a dose rate of 50 mg/kg daily for three days.

Giardia infection can be difficult to control, particularly

in the kennel situation where infection can circulate

between dogs and environmental contamination can be

substantial. A thorough cleaning programme to remove

debris, followed by disinfection with, for example, a

quaternary ammonium-containing compound, is essential.

It may also be advisable to treat all affected dogs

and in-contact animals at the same time, given that shedding

of cysts can be hard to detect.

A vaccine comprising killed trophozoites has been developed and is available in the USA for use in dogs and cats. The vaccine decreases the excretion and viability of ''[[Giardia]]'' cysts, thus reducing the environmental burden.

 

 

 

 

**Killed trophozoites

**Available in the USA for cats and dogs

**Decreases the excretion and viability of cysts

**Decreases environmental pressure

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==