signs and symptoms of giardia in cats

Giardia in cats happens when thin microscopic parasites attack the intestinal wall and destroy it causing severe sudden pungent-smelling diarrhea. Clinical signs occur most often in younger animals from multi-cat householdsenvironments or immunocompromised cats.

How To Diagnose And Treat Giardia In Cats 10 Steps

Cats suffering from giardia infection may lose weight while their appetite remains the same.

. Find out more about the symptoms and treatment of Giardia in cats and what the parasites are here. The stool may be pale in appearance smell especially foul and look greasy. When symptoms appear they usually do so in younger cats.

The most common symptom is diarrhea. Stools are soft and watery often green and sometimes having blood in them. These symptoms can also be signs of many other medical conditions in cats including cancer so the only way to tell for sure is by a veterinarians diagnosis.

The clinical signs of giardia are gastrointestinal and include. It is possible to be infected and have no signs or symptoms of illness. The most obvious sign of giardiasis is diarrhea with a strong odor which is usually soft or watery and may even be slightly discolored.

Flatulence abdominal pain and vomiting may be noted. Another tool for identifying giardia is called an ELISA test. The incidence of feline giardiasis is relatively low in North America about 4 but it can be a serious problem in catteries shelters and some multi-cat households.

However this is not the only symptom of giardiasis. Making Sure Your Cat Gets Help When They Need It. Some cats will also have blood or mucus in their stool.

Adult cats with a healthy immune system usually show no signs of the disease but the parasites pose a risk to young cats up to 12 months old. Other cats suffer from small intestine-based diarrhea which can vary from slightly loose feces right through to a water-like consistency. If large numbers of trophozoites develop the cat will develop symptoms which include.

The incubation period of giardia is 1-14 days. When symptoms do present they usually manifest in the following ways. However symptoms can also mimic other intestinal diseases including IBD and cancer The most common symptom of giardia is chronic foul-smelling diarrhea which can be continuous or intermittent.

Giardia in cats can cause weight loss acute diarrhea and thick stools. Symptoms of Giardia infection in both people and pets can include diarrhea gas abdominal discomfort nausea and vomiting. Your cat may begin to exhibit symptoms of giardiasis suddenly without any warning.

Most cats are asymptomatic but may still shed cysts in their feces. The stool is usually soft or even watery pale poorly formed and. The most common clinical sign of Giardia is diarrhea but you may also notice vomiting weight loss and lack of activity.

The cat can live the presence of giardia for years without showing any obvious effects. Pet owners you should consult University Animal Clinic for a medical examination if you suspect that your pet is showing signs of Giardia infection. These signs can include severe watery diarrhea and weight loss.

Mucus in the feces. They may have unformedsoft andor pale foul-smelling stool. Giardia infection in cats may lead to weight loss chronic intermittent diarrhea and fatty stool.

Many people and pets who are infected with Giardia dont show any signs or symptoms. Ad How To Know If Your Cats Sick By Looking For Clues In The Litter Box. This test looks for the presence of antibodies to giardia in the cats feces.

Diarrhea whether chronic or sporadic is usually abundant and sudden. Giardia in cats is now one of the most common parasitic diseases after worms. Other clinical signs can include.

While many infected cats are asymptomatic there are certain signs and symptoms that are indicative of giardia. Weight loss Vomiting Reduced activity Dehydration Lethargy Mucus in stool. The stool may range from soft to watery often has a greenish tinge to it and occasionally contains blood.

Infected cats tend to have excess mucus. Other potential signs include lethargy abdominal discomfort gas and poor coat condition. It can be accompanied by a bad smell mucus and even blood.

Signs that your dog or cat may have Giardia include. Some cats show no clinical signs of infection with Giardiasis. Were so used.

When the infection does cause signs seen by a pet parent its known as clinical giardiasis. Symptoms of Giardia in Cats Diarrhea. Most giardia infections show no symptoms.

Many cats infected with Giardia dont show any symptoms. In cats diarrhea is a common sign of giardiasis. Kittens old cats and cats who are stressed have a weakened immune system or are housed in close quarters are most likely to show signs of clinical illness.

Giardiasis can be fatal if left untreated. Abdominal pain and discomfort. Vomiting Gradual weight loss Less Active.

Many cats who become infected with giardia are asymptomatic meaning they dont show any signs of illness. Symptoms Of Giardia In Cats. Signs can persist for some time and can result in weight loss.

If your cat suddenly starts to have more frequent bowel movements or you notice that his feces is more watery. Abdominal Pain and Bloating. Symptoms of Giardia are more apparent in kittens older cats and cats with weakened immunity.

Treatments for Giardia in Cats For treatment there is typically one medication called Metronidazole that is more commonly used to treat giardiasis. Nausea and vomiting. The feces may be mucus-streaked and particularly foul-smelling.

Dog and cat stool poop can contain Giardia germs and may make people sick even when the pet appears healthy. The first signs of pain are usually listlessness and a lack of interest in food but if you. Symptoms and Diagnosis of Giardia Infection.

Since Giardia can be hard to diagnose a cat with giardiasis symptoms may be treated for giardia even without a definitive diagnosis on the basis of medical history and symptoms. Decreased appetite Mucus in stools Diarrhea with or without blood Vomiting Dehydration Tiredness Gas Weight loss Many dogs have no signs of illness.

Giardia In Cats Great Pet Care