Giardia and Campylobacter diagnosed today!!

[mrs hamster]

Help anyone any advice?

Bon Bon is 16 weeks and has had a runny bot since the day we got her really but it has taken until today to get a diagnosis!!

She weighs only 4.1kg she is so tiny, she has been on hills prescription ID for weeks.

Ive been reading up on the net and frightening myself! Anyone experience of these 2 will she fully recover quickly? Are these 2 bugs common?

Im relieved in a way as at least we have a diagnosis at last.

Many Thanks
Jane                    

[PennyB]

What has the vet advised. Having had Giarda myself on a number of occasions while backpacking I feel for the poor thing (I had exploding everything from everywhere and couldn't keep anything down or in!). I was put on flagyl (metronidazole), which is a potent antibiotic also used for campylobacter but don't know what the doggy version is.

I would also enquire as to whether you could catch it as well as I believe the bug is the same in most domestic mammals (excl. rodents). This was from the Merck vet manual (manual also says its quite common):

"Giardia cysts survive in the environment and thus are a source of infection and reinfection for animals, particularly those in crowded conditions (eg, kennels and catteries). Prompt removal of feces from cages, runs, and yards will limit environmental contamination. Cysts are inactivated by most quaternary ammonium compounds, household bleach (1:32 or 1:16 dilution), steam, and boiling water. Cysts are susceptible to desiccation, and areas should be allowed to dry thoroughly after cleaning. Cysts contaminating the hair of dogs and cats may be a source of reinfection"

Also like to add that giardia is something that can be caught in th eUK and you don't need to go abroad to get it in humans.                    

[shonajoy]

I don't have any experience of either of these, I'm sorry. I hope Bon Bon feels better soon, poor wee thing

Shona x                    

[Magic Star]

Aww poor Bon Bon, I don't know anything about it either :?  apart from what Penny has written.  Sounds nasty, hope Bon Bon improves soon                    

[mrs hamster]

The vet is posting the presciption so I will get it tommorow.
Anyone know if you can give something like "Build Up" to puppies she is so thin. I want to get some weight on her asap as soon as she starts on the drugs in the morning?

Thanks
Jane                    

[Silver Surfer (indiesnan)]

Poor  Bon Bon.     (  Ive not heard of this before, thanks Penny for explaining it. )   Don't believe everything you read on the net Jane.  :?

At least now you know whats  wrong now. I hope she feels better soon.  

edited to say.. i'm sure one of the more experienced members will be on to advice you soon.                    

[PennyB]

I was told by the Burns people to add protein such as sardines or eggs to their diet. Some of the working dog supplements may help as well. I gave Wilf some of the 'Come on' herbs when he was ill:

http://www.csjk9.com                    

[LindaW]

Poor Bon Bon   At least you know why he is so underweight and I'm sure he will pick up now you have the treatment.  Hope he improves                      

[mrs hamster]

Thanks so much for all your support

After just today on the medication she looks feels and weighs heavier!!
 I have fed her so much today and she's kept it all in!!!

She has had her prescription Hills ID plus banana, honey, baby food rice pud and baby food egg custard and has been for  only 2 jobby's instead of the usual 10 plus!!!( 8 out of 10 have been in the house for the last 8 weeks and it has been miserable for all I kid you not!!

Jane                    

[PennyB]

Glad she's feeling a lot better. What did the vet give you in the end.

Not sure whether I've asked before but which part of South Wales are you—I'm in Cardiff.                    

[shonajoy]

Awww,Jane that sounds positive, bless her. I hope this continues and she's up to full speed soon, wee thing.

Shona x                    

[Tori]

Hi Jane

i'm so sorry to hear of Bon Bon's misfortune , but glad to hear that all is starting to improve .  One of the vets at work has recently taken on a springer pup who was diagnoised with the same at 3 mths he is now nearly 6 mths and is putting weight on steadily although not quickly and you don't want to rush it :wink: .  One thing she has found though is that shaka now has a slightly sensitive tummy and can not tolerate to high protein foods and doesn't take to well to too much food swapping, so that maybe something to remember for the future.  he is though a VERY happy and outgoing little individual and you have exactly the same to look forward to so good luck

Torie & co xx

PS - Just seen that you are giving her honey which is fantastic as a natural antibiotic  It proberly wouldn't hurt to give alittle natural yoghurt when shes alittle more settled as that will help balance her tummy                    

[Lindaphills]

hi Jane,

I'm glad to hear bon bon is on the mend.  Giardia is a tiny protozoan parasite that infects the intestines and produces a foul smelling diarrhoea often with a waxy appearance and maybe containing blood.

Apparently the only approved treatment for giardia in dogs is panacur wormer given at a higher dosage over about 3 consecutive days.  Is this what your vet gave you?  (apart from the antibiotics for the campylobacter I mean)

Keep us posted on bon bons progress and hope things will soon be normal for you

Linda and jess                    

[tterrii]

hi jane,
i went on holiday and had to put my dogs in kennels,on return,both my dogs got these,after taking them to the vets,and having stool samples done.it was confirmed,they both had the same.
my vet firstly advised to clean up the runny stools,as quickley as possible.and to use a really good disenfectant.which you can buy through your vet,called tri-gene disenfectant.expensive,but kills off the campyliabacta.so stops reinfecting the dogs.plus they were given panacur granuals,which i know is a wormer,but works and kills off guidia.and to clear up the campyliabactia,they were given a course of synulox,but this goes on for weeks,as you have to keep going back having stools samples done until it comes back clear.i hope this has been of some help to you jane,also i would advise to keep your hands washed and don't pick up mess on your hands,try using some gloves,ect,as campylia bactia is transmitted to humands,but guidia is'nt.so keep everything ultra clean.good luck