Giardia in dogs – signs and what to do
Book a vet visitBook a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Giardia is a small parasite that attacks the lining of the intestines and can cause severe, watery diarrhoea.
What you can do now
- Contact your vet.
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
- Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
- Keep fresh water available.
- Let your dog rest somewhere calm.
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine.
- Do not wait if it gets worse.
What it is
Giardia is a small parasite that attacks the lining of the intestines and causes severe, watery diarrhoea.[1] Giardia spreads in poo, and dogs can catch it through exposure to infected poo particles in water, food or the environment.[1]
Signs
Causes and risk factors
How vets treat it
- Antibiotics
- Fluids or a drip
- Antiparasitic treatment
- Medication
- Worming treatment
What the experts say
“Overview. Giardia is a small parasite that attacks the lining of the intestines (guts) and causes severe, watery diarrhoea. Giardia spreads in poo, dogs catch it when they are exposed to infected poo particles (in water, food or the environment).”
Not sure how serious it is?
OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.
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Common questions
What is Giardia?
Giardia is a small parasite that attacks the lining of the intestines and causes severe, watery diarrhoea.[1]
How can dogs catch Giardia?
Dogs can catch Giardia when they are exposed to infected poo particles in water, food or the environment.[1]
When should I contact a vet?
Book an appointment ASAP if your dog has diarrhoea for more than 2-3 days.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
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