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Also known as: '''''Giardiosis — Giardosis — Giardia Infection — Lambliasis — Lambliosis

|Also known as:

|'''Giardiosis''' <BR> '''Giardosis''' <BR> '''Giardia Infection''' <BR> '''Lambliasis''' <BR> '''Lambliosis'''

==Description==

==Introduction==

[[Image:Giardia Cyst.jpg|thumb|right|150px| Giardia cyst from a dog. Source: Wikimedia Commons; Author: Joel Mills (2006)]]

[[Image:Giardia Cyst.jpg|thumb|right|150px| Giardia cyst from a dog. Source: Wikimedia Commons; Author: Joel Mills (2006)]]

''[[Giardia]]'' is a binucleate, flagellate protozoa that causes enteric infection giardiasis in dogs and occasionally cats. ''[[Giardia]]''  species have been reported to be found in 1-39% of faecal samples from dogs and cats, with a higher rate of infection in younger animals.Transmission is via cysts that are shed in the faeces, and may be direct or indirect. Indirect water-borne transmission is the most common modality and is favoured by cool, moist conditions that prolong cyst survival. Once cysts are ingested, motile trophozoites are released and attach to the cells of the small intestinal mucosa via an adhesive disc. Predilection sites in the dog are the duodenum and jejunum, whereas only the duodenum is favoured in cats. Multiplication by binary fission can then occur, and trophozoites encyst to a stage adapted for survival in the external environment. Cysts are seen in the faeces from day 3 post-infection in dogs (5-16 in cats), and can survive in the environment for several months. Animals that mount an immune response to ''[[Giardia]]'' can eliminate infection; however, the immunity acquired does not necessarily prevent re-infection after a short period.

''[[Giardia]]'' is a binucleate, flagellate protozoa that causes enteric infection giardiasis in dogs and occasionally cats. ''[[Giardia]]''  species have been reported to be found in 1-39% of faecal samples from dogs and cats, with a higher rate of infection in younger animals.Transmission is via cysts that are shed in the faeces, and may be direct or indirect. Indirect water-borne transmission is the most common modality and is favoured by cool, moist conditions that prolong cyst survival. Once cysts are ingested, motile trophozoites are released and attach to the cells of the small intestinal mucosa via an adhesive disc. Predilection sites in the dog are the duodenum and jejunum, whereas only the duodenum is favoured in cats. Multiplication by binary fission can then occur, and trophozoites encyst to a stage adapted for survival in the external environment. Cysts are seen in the faeces from day 3 post-infection in dogs (5-16 in cats), and can survive in the environment for several months. Animals that mount an immune response to ''[[Giardia]]'' can eliminate infection; however, the immunity acquired does not necessarily prevent re-infection after a short period.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

Treatment is usually effective and the prognosis for treated giardiasis in dogs and cats is good. However, chronic infection may lead to debilitation.

Treatment is usually effective and the prognosis for treated giardiasis in dogs and cats is good. However, chronic infection may lead to debilitation.

==Links==

==Links==