Changes

===Clinical Signs===

===Clinical Signs===

Clinical signs are most likely to be seen in younger animals as older hosts are usually infected asymptomatically. Signs vary from acute diarrhoea to chronic loose, fould-smelling faeces, and frequency of defaecation is usually increased. Vomiting and weight loss may be seen in some cases.  Malabsorbtion syndrome with soft, frothy, greasy, voluminous, malodourous faeces can occur.

Clinical signs are most likely to be seen in younger animals as older hosts are usually infected asymptomatically. Signs vary from acute, chronic or intermittent diarrhoea to chronic loose, fould-smelling faeces, and frequency of defaecation is usually increased. The stools are normally light coloured and mucoid and often contain fat. Blood is not normally present in the faeces. Vomiting, flatulence and weight loss/failure to gain weight may be seen in some cases, and the hair coat may be poor. Giardiasis may also cause malabsorption, and there are several proposed mechanisms for this. For example, the small intestinal villi may be grossly atrophies or damages ultrastructurally, or giardiasis may lead to bacterial overgrowth. There is also evidence that ''[[Giardia]]'' consumes bile acids, preventing digestion of fats.

 

Giardiasis may also cause malabsorption, and there are several proposed mechanisms for this. For example, the small intestinal villi may be grossly atrophies or damages ultrastructurally, or giardiasis may lead to bacterial overgrowth. There is also evidence that ''[[Giardia]]'' consumes bile acids, preventing digestion of fats.

===Laboratory Tests===

===Laboratory Tests===