Beaver fever, also termed giardiasis or giardia, is a type of intestinal organism that can infect animals including dogs and people. The organism is spread when a dog 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 in dogs. These symptoms include diarrhea, gas, greasy stools, stomach cramps, upset stomach or nausea, weight loss, and dehydration.
Fortunately Bever Fever in dogs can be diagnosed through a fecal test, and then effectively treated with medications. Metronidazole has been the most frequently used giardia treatment for dogs in the past. This drug treats bacterial infestations which cause diarrhea, but it does carry the risk of harmful side effects.
Unless dogs are very young, debilitated, or have immune dysfunction associated with cancer or immunosuppressive drug therapy, Beaver Fever is not considered a parasite with serious impact, but obviously, passage of malodorous diarrhea and gas produces a situation that may not be ideal for the dog— as well as the family.