Introduction
Beaver Fever, more formally known as Giardia, is an infestation of the dog's digestive tract with a tiny single-celled parasite that can produce smelly diarrhea, excess gas and bloating of the abdomen, or no clinical signs at all. Ponds, rivers and lakes are common sources, and sometimes, Giardia parasites even contaminate municipal water supply sources.
Outlook
If repeated episodes of Beaver Fever occur in your dog, discuss the situation with your veterinarian. Though treatments are available, treatment resistance is a concern and effectiveness of treatments is not 100%. People can contract the parasite from the same sources as dogs, so avoidance of contaminated water supply is of public health interest.
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. In addition, whenever we deal with diseases/parasites shared by people and pets, one needs to be thorough in the treatment.
Talk to your health care team about prevention strategies. Sometimes, further problems can be prevented by simple avoidance measures and in other instances, a treatment and follow up monitoring program may be recommended.