Giardia also termed giardiasis or Beaver Fever, is a type of intestinal organism that can infect wild mammals, cats, dogs, birds, and people. The organism is spread when an animal drinks water that has been contaminated by the feces of another animal that was infected with giardia or through ingestion of the contaminated feces itself.
Giardia infection can cause a variety of intestinal symptoms, which include diarrhea, gas, greasy stools, stomach cramps, and upset stomach or nausea. These symptoms may lead to weight loss and dehydration.
Fortunately giardia in cats can be diagnosed through a fecal test, and then effectively treated with medications. Metronidazole has been the most frequently used giardia treatment for cats in the past. This drug treats bacterial infestations which cause diarrhea, but it does carry the risk of harmful side effects.