Despite only being 10 months old, our Bernese Mountain Dog puppy Rosie, has already faced giardia three times. For those unfamiliar, giardia is a common intestinal parasite, especially troublesome in puppies like Rosie. It can lead to discomfort and health issues if not treated promptly.
In this blog post, we’ll share Rosie’s journey with giardia, the treatments that helped her recover and what you can do if your pet is suffering from this awful condition.
How Rosie Encountered Giardia
Rosie’s first experience with giardia happened after a playful day at the lake, where she couldn’t resist lapping up some of the water because it was really hot that day.
Big mistake!
Unfortunately, giardia cysts often lurk in such natural water bodies (especially in the south eastern United States), making them a common source of infection for adventurous pups.
The second time Rosie contracted giardia remains a mystery to us, which shows you how sneaky this parasite can be. However the vet told us that it’s usually related to drinking unsafe water.
Her third run-in came after drinking from a puddle. We had learned our lesson at that point and tried our best to keep Rosie from drinking anything, but she can be very sneaky.
Spotting the Symptoms
Giardia symptoms don’t show up right away, which means it’s crucial to keep an eye on your puppy’s behavior. For Rosie, the symptoms included:
- Increased fatigue – She wasn’t her usual lively self.
- Urgent and frequent potty breaks – She needed to go potty more often, sometimes ten times a day, and couldn’t always hold it.
- Diarrhea and accidents indoors – A clear sign that something was off.
The symptoms continued to get worse so we needed to take her to the vet each time she got giardia. The vet confirmed the presence of giardia by checking her stool.
Treatment and Recovery
Each time Rosie was diagnosed, our vet prescribed a combination of treatments that proved effective:
- Proviable Forte: A probiotic paste to help restore her digestive health.
- Provable Probiotic Capsules: To support her intestinal flora.
- Metronidazole: An antibiotic to combat the giardia directly.
- Alongside the medication, the vet suggested a bland diet of rice, chicken breast, and pumpkin to ease her digestion. Interestingly, we didn’t need to switch her diet as the medications worked wonders quickly.
Rosie’s response to the treatment was remarkable. Within just a few hours, her symptoms began to improve dramatically. She was able to manage her potty breaks outdoors, and within a few days, she was back to her energetic self.
The total cost for each giardia treatment, including medications and vet visits, was around $300.
Prevention and Awareness
Giardia is relatively common in puppies, and knowing how they get it can help prevent future incidents. Puppies can contract giardia from contaminated water, soil, or even contact with infected feces. Ensuring your puppy avoids drinking from standing water and keeping their play areas clean can help reduce the risk.
Final Thoughts
Watching Rosie fight giardia was tough, but understanding the symptoms and knowing how to react quickly made a big difference. If your puppy shows similar symptoms, don’t hesitate to consult your vet. Early intervention is key to a quick recovery. Rosie’s resilience and rapid recovery remind us that with the right care, puppies can bounce back from giardia and continue to bring joy and laughter into our lives.
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