Reptiles and Amphibians Q&A 23

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This photomicrograph is of a trichrome-stained organism found in the faeces of an iguana.

Question	Answer		Article
What is your diagnosis?	Giardia lamblia. Note the twin eye-like anterior nuclei that characterise this organism.		[[|Link to Article]]
Is this organism pathogenic?	Yes, particularly in stressed, immunocompromised patients, or in patients with other serious medical conditions.		[[|Link to Article]]
If pathogenic, how would you treat this organism?	Treatment consists of metronidazole (125–250mg/kg orally every 48–72 hours for one to two weeks).		[[|Link to Article]]
What advice would you give the owner?	Because Giardia can infect humans, great care must be taken to avoid faecal contamination of foodstuffs, food-preparation areas and utensils, and/or domestic water supplies.		[[|Link to Article]]