Introduction
Giardia infection can cause a variety of intestinal symptoms in dogs. These symptoms include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Gas or flatulence
- Greasy stools
- Stomach cramps
- Upset stomach or nausea
- These symptoms may lead to weight loss and dehydration
In some instances, infected dogs can carry this parasite without any signs of illness. In dogs that show no clinical signs, the parasite can nevertheless be harmful by robbing the intestines of essential nutrients during digestion, causing weight loss or lethargy. Giardia has also been associated with allergies in some species.
Who is at Risk of Beaver Fever?
Giardia is an important parasite for a number of reasons. It poses a risk to human health because it can be transmitted to people, causing severe gastrointestinal disease, especially in immunocompromised people, including the elderly, newborns, pregnant women, and cancer and AIDS patients.