The Scary Truth about Giardia and the Importance of Fecal Exams

As you may, or may not, be aware, we ask that dogs who participate in daycare at Dachs 2 Danes get a yearly fecal exam.  It never ceases to amaze me how many people have never even heard of a fecal exam before they come to us. This tells me that most vets are not letting patients know what a fecal exam is, and why it is important; especially for puppies and socialized dogs.

Not all puppies are born with worms. However, it is so common for puppies to be born with Roundworm and Hookworm that most puppies get de-wormed as a precaution.  While Tapeworm is the parasite you can actually find in a dog’s feces (which looks like dried-up rice), Roundworm, Hookworm, and Whipworm are not usually visible to the naked eye. What does this mean for your dog? He can be infected and you don’t even know it.

While worms are gross and scary to think about, we want to talk more about a parasite that isn’t talked about very often. That parasite is Giardia.

What is Giardia?

Fancy Answer: Giardiasis is an intestinal infection of man and animals caused by a protozoan parasite Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia).

Simple Answer:  Giardia is a simple one-celled parasitic species; it is not a "worm", bacteria or virus.  

How does a dog contract Giardia?

Long Answer: “A dog becomes infected with Giardia when it swallows the cyst stage of the parasite. In susceptible dogs, once the cyst passes into the dog's intestines; it goes through transformation to the trophozoite or feeding form and attaches to the intestinal wall to feed.  Trophozoites reproduce by dividing, and some transform into the cystic form. Eventually, the dog passes cysts in its stool.

These cysts are immediately able to infect another animal. Giardiasis can be transmitted by eating or sniffing the cysts from contaminated ground, or by drinking contaminated water.

When Giardia cysts are found in the stool of a healthy adult dog without diarrhea, they are generally considered a transient, insignificant finding. However, in puppies and debilitated adult dogs, they may cause severe, watery diarrhea that may be fatal if left untreated.” – VCA Animal Hospital

Short Answer:  "Giardiasis can be transmitted by eating or sniffing the cysts from contaminated ground, or by drinking contaminated water."

What are the symptoms of Giardia?

Long Answer: “These microscopic parasites attach themselves to the intestinal wall, and the damage causes an acute (sudden-onset) foul-smelling diarrhea. The stool may range from soft to watery, often has a greenish tinge to it, and occasionally contains blood. Infected dogs tend to have excess mucus in the feces. Vomiting may occur in some cases. The diarrhea may be intermittent. The signs may persist for several weeks and gradual weight loss may become apparent.  Most dogs do not have a fever but may be less active.” – VCA Animal Hospital

Short Answer: Giardia can cause a foul-smelling diarrhea that may range from soft to watery. It often has a greenish tinge to it, and may, on occasion, contain blood. The infected feces also tends to have an excess of mucus. Vomiting may occur in some cases.

How is it Diagnosed?

Fecal floatation exams are meant to catch parasites in the stool. Detecting tiny Giardia cysts requires a special zinc sulfate floatation solution. Unfortunately, because Giardia cysts are shed inconsistently in the feces, infection can go undetected.  But stool samples can be analyzed for the presence of Giardia specific antigens (cell proteins), if an infection is suspected. Many cases are diagnosed on the basis of medical history and clinical signs suggestive of Giardia.

How is it treated?

“The most common drug used to kill Giardia is metronidazole, an antibiotic. It is normally given for five to seven days to treat giardiasis. Another anti-parasitic drug, fenbendazole, is suggested as a potentially useful treatment, especially when used in conjunction with metronidazole. Some dogs may require follow-up tests and treatments based on their condition and severity of infection.” -VCA Animal Hospitals

Will my dog be alright?

The disease is not usually life threatening unless the dogs' immune system is immature or immunocompromised. 

What Dachs 2 Danes does to combat contamination?

• Yearly Fecal Exam: Because dogs can be a carrier of parasites without showing symptoms, we ask for a fecal exam to be done at least once a year.
• Poop Pick up: Picking up poop promptly, then sanitizing the immediate area.
• Nightly Sanitization: We clean the daycare nightly (inside and out) with Triple Two, a product that cleans, kills, and prevents bacteria growth.  This cleaner works to fight Kennel Cough, Canine Distemper, Rabies Virus, Avian Influenza, Hepatitus, Coccidia, Giarrdia, and more. 
• Open Communication: We will let you know if we notice any unusual changes in your pup. We ask that you please let us know if your dog has been diagnosed with Giardia or another parasite. If he/she has, we ask that they stay home until they are parasite free (i.e. after treatment and a clean fecal exam).

What I can do to prevent my dog from contracting a parasite?

• Watch out for poop: If you see poop while walking your dog, avoid it. Don’t let him stop to sniff, even if he tries to pull you to it.  A dog can pick up several contagious viruses and unwanted parasite “eggs” just from sniffing.
• Watch out for fleas: Fleas are common carriers of worm eggs. Dogs can contract worms by ingesting contaminated fleas. 
• Watch out for water: Most humans contract Giardia by inadvertently drinking contaminated water.  If you take your dog to the river, lake, or hiking where there is water (such as a stream) don’t let your dog drink from the water.  Always bring fresh water for you and your dog to drink.
• Regular fecal testing: Get a fecal exam done every six months to a year. Make sure they are testing for worms AND giardia. Also, research has found that the results for fecal exams sent out to a lab to be tested are 20% more accurate than fecal exams done in-house by your vet’s office. So make sure your vet sends samples out to be tested.

We want everyone to enjoy their socialization experience, without having to worry about bringing home extra, unwelcome guests.  Please help us in this effort by getting regular fecal exams. 

Resolution: Teach an Old Dog Owner New Tricks

The Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) officially made January ‘National Train Your Dog Month’. And it doesn’t hurt that it coincides with New Year’s resolutions as well (for those not so new pet parents that need to take a different approach on training).  

Training a dog is a very important part of responsible dog ownership.  And while we all think it’s a no brainer not many owners realize that they have replaced training with extra love and treats.  Then, when the dog does something bad, he gets screamed at and possibly punished, but the bad behavior is never corrected and he never understands what he did wrong, so the bad behavior continues.  To avoid these incidents, a dog should begin his training as soon as he comes home with you, puppies included. 

As Cesar Millan, and any other trainer will tell you, dogs live in the now (the present).  They aren’t thinking about the life they use to have before you adopted them, or how they got in trouble last week for digging; all of that is in the past.  So, the first step to getting a well-behaved dog is to change the way you think about your dog. Think about your dog in the present.  What is he?  Is he a child? Is he a war veteran? Is he a nurse?  No, he is a dog.  While he may depend on you like a child, may have been rescued from an abusive home, and may stay by your side while you are sick, none of that matters in the present.  Those are experiences that have happened in the past and not the dog that stands in front of you today. 

I know a lot of pet parents do not believe that their dog’s past life does not affect him.  But I can tell you from experience, it only affects your dog because you hold on to it, not because your dog does.  If you want to see real changes in the way he behaves, you have to let go of his past and start from scratch. Sometimes dogs do become psychologically skewed (and not just from abuse) and that damage needs to be undone before you can move forward.  So, if you want your dog to become the perfect model citizen (which you should) then you have to be willing to put in the time, energy and effort it takes to go back to the basics. 

1.       Needs - Let’s start with basic needs.  When a dog’s basic needs are brought up in conversation most people automatically think food, water, shelter.  And while those answers are correct, most people do not think of another basic need, which is psychological.  Dogs need a purpose.  Whether it’s hunting, giving protection, or companionship, dogs need something to focus on and succeed at.  Acknowledging that basic need and combining it with a dogs drive to please their human will result in much more successful training sessions. 

2.       Attention - As you get ready to start your training session, keep your dog’s attention span in mind.  If you want your dog to succeed, keep each training session short and sweet.  Most dogs can’t learn to (or retain the commands for) sit, shake, and rollover in the same day.  And if you want reliable obedience then you need to be repetitive and patient.  Most dogs can give you their focused attention for 10 – 15 minutes. 

3.       Abilities - Remember that all dogs are different.  Some abilities, like retrieving, may come easier to a Labrador while other abilities, like sprinting, come more naturally to a Greyhound.  The pace at which your dog learns a command does not matter.  All that matters is the end result, which should always be the mastered command. 

4.       Consistency - The key to successful training is consistency, consistency, consistency!  All too often owners get frustrated and give up on their dog’s training.   Either they stop training completely or they accept mediocrity.  This is setting your dog up for failure.  When you reward a partial sit rather than a full sit you are telling your dog that he is doing what you want.  Now you have a dog that does not give you a consistent sit on command, but you can’t blame the dog (even though you want to), because he has been taught (and reinforced with rewards) that what he is giving you is what you want.  Inconsistency is most apparent in multiple person homes.  If no one is on the same page with training then the dog is constantly receiving mixed signals about what behavior is acceptable.  If you want to turn your dog into a model citizen you must follow through and make sure everyone in the household (including guests who visit) is expecting the same behavior from the dog.  If jumping is not allowed, no one should encourage or allow jumping.  If dogs are not allowed on the couch, then they should never be allowed on the couch regardless of who is sitting with them.

Try this exercise with your dog:  Take your dog for a car ride around the block.  When you get home, pretend you just adopted him.  He has no past that you know of but you were told of a couple personality traits such as he doesn’t like cats, and he tends to bark (of course, your dog may have different habits). You took a couple of What to Expect When Expecting a Dog classes and you feel pretty confident about being the pack leader to this dog (since you made so many mistakes with the last one).  

• When you reach the front door of the house you enter first and invite him in.  You can ask (or make) him sit at the door first before you invite him in but the important thing is to show him that it is your home.  
• Keep him on a leash and have him follow you around for the rest of the day.  Do not let him on the couch, or bed, or in any room you don’t want him to be in (such as the kitchen).  Even if you are ok with him on the couch or bed, he must learn that it isn’t his right to sit wherever he pleases but that he must earn his place in the pack.  

The point of this exercise is to teach him that you are the pack leader and you control what he can and cannot do in your home. 

This is not an easy exercise, especially for those who let the dog run the house.  It is hard to watch your dog be unable to do what he wants or play when he wants, but this psychological shift has to happen in order for you to regain control in your home.  Once you have your symbolic fresh start underway, you can start resetting the foundation of successful training.  That means going back and perfecting the basic commands that are often taken for granted; Come, Sit, Stay.

So now that you have a different perspective on your dog, try retraining the basic commands, and don’t give up until you have a model canine citizen.

The Spirit of Giving

It seems the holiday spirit is infectious this time of year.  It’s the time when people are nicer, more compassionate, more giving, and usually happier.  

The spirit of giving is an interesting component of the overall holiday spirit.  It can be loosely defined by the Webster dictionary as an inclination, impulse, or tendency to give.  How can you not be intrigued by an invisible force that mystically inspires people to give more than any other time of year?  Don’t believe it? This concept is reinforced with the fact that almost all non-profit organizations receive 40% of their yearly donations in the last six weeks of the year, despite the need for donations all year long. (CharityNavigator.org)

Instead of trying to solve the world’s great mysteries, we will embrace the spirit of giving and let ourselves be inspired to give as well.  As we consider our approach to giving we are faced with two main possibilities.  1. Give donations or 2. Give time.  

1. Give donations:



Animal shelters have always had a rough time caring for the large influx of animals that come in each year. “Approximately 3,500 animal shelters across the United States serve the estimated 6-8 million homeless animals who need refuge each year.  Many more animals find themselves in need of the services provided by local rescue groups….Shelters and rescues are always in need of towels, food, toys, and other supplies for the animals, often specified in a “wish list” on their website. Give what you can, ask family, friends and colleagues to do so as well.” – Humane Society.

Dachs 2 Danes will be accepting donations for the OC Animal Care Center at the daycare facility through the month of December.  Please drop off any unwanted towels, dog toys, blankets, food, newspaper, brushes, bedding, treats, or other item on the shelter's wish list.  2. Give time: Volunteering is a great activity for the whole family and it teaches children the true meaning of giving as well as a greater understanding and appreciation for the things they have.  Volunteering helps build character through humility, kindness, compassion, understanding, generosity, caring, and serving someone regardless their own problems or needs.  Cities are always looking for volunteers to help keep communities beautiful and community programs available. The chance to make a difference in an animal’s life is a gift in itself.   When thinking about how your family can make the most of giving this season, consider extending your commitment to providing charitable acts throughout the year.  Many organizations have plenty of volunteers over the holidays but lack sufficient volunteer resources the remainder of the year.   There is really no substitute for the feeling you get after giving your time to help someone else in need.  Open your heart this holiday season (and for the rest of the year) to an animal in need and watch the positive impact blossom in your life.

Good Idea, Bad Idea

Did you ever have a stroke of genius only to discover later that it wasn’t such a good idea after all?  While we all make those bad choices at least once in our lives we should not be so careless when it comes to another living being.  Here are a couple of helpful tips to get you and your dog though this holiday season without an ‘oops’ or a visit to the vet.  
 
 
Good Idea: Hanging the stockings by the chimney with care.
 
Bad Idea: Hanging treats (like candy canes) within reach of the dog.
 
We all know dogs (and cats) can be mischievous, and like toddlers, they like to stick things in their mouths.  Any holiday can be a dangerous time for a pet but Christmas time tends to have more sharp and toxic items for them to get a hold of. 

• Keep all candy canes and sweets out of reach from your pup. 
• Make sure all the electrical cords are tucked away or tapped down to keep your pup from chewing on them and getting shocked (or worse). 
• Don’t let them drink the Christmas tree water as it can contain fertilizer or even bacteria. 
• Keep holly, mistletoe, poinsettias, and lilies out of reach as these plants can be toxic to pets. 
• And lastly, try to buy non-toxic decorations because we know that pets can’t resist playing with them.   

 
Good Idea: Enjoying holiday cheer with family and friends.
 
Bad Idea: Over-sharing Holiday Cheer with the dog.

 

We all know how stressful it can be having a ton of house guests over for the holidays.  Imagine how stressful it can be for your dog.  If you plan on having  a lot of company over at your house this holiday, give your dog a quiet and safe retreat somewhere in the house (as far from the commotion as you can) and turn on soothing music (like classical).  Of course, don’t forget to give her potty breaks.  If your dog is out mingling with guests, make sure your guests know the rules you have with your dog:  

• No feeding scraps from the table (even if you do it normally)
• No sharing drinks (alcoholic or not)
• No pulling tails or ears
• Watch for the dog when the door is open
• No jumping on people (that rule is for the dog)  

 
Regardless of where your dog is in your home this holiday season, keep in mind that when dogs are stressed they tend to pant more and therefore require more water.  Be sure to have plenty of fresh water available for her to drink.
 
 
Good Idea: Giving a gift card to your niece for Christmas.
 
Bad Idea: Giving a puppy to your niece for Christmas.
 
Animal shelters and rescue organizations know all too well that about half of all animals at the shelters (and nationwide) are owner surrenders.  The majority of pet owners say they got their pet from a friend or family member.  And while these pets are often acquired with the best of intentions, for one reason or another it doesn’t work out and the animal ends up in the ‘system’.  This is a big reason why organizations like ASPCA urge people not to buy pets as gifts.  
 
Picking out the perfect pet has to be a personal decision.  Believe it or not, every dog (and cat) has a unique personality, so it is best to find a companion that you feel a connection with and fits your lifestyle.  For example, a person who enjoys staying indoors and watching a movie rather than going on a hike would not be a good owner for a husky, as they require a lot of exercise.  Additionally, your friend or family member may say they want a pet but may not actually be ready for one.  In short, when deciding on what gift to give this year, go with the gift card and not a pet.   
 


Good Idea: Giving your dog a belly rub.
 
Bad Idea: Giving a perfect stranger a belly rub.
 
...For obvious reasons. ;-)  

Turkey Dinner for your Dog

Turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes, green beans, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry, sweet rolls, pumpkin pie;  With thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s almost impossible not to think about all the delicious food we’ll get to eat.  It’s hard not to feel bad for the dog who sits quietly under the table waiting for a meager scrap of food to fall for him.  But what do you do when you know it’s bad for him to get table scraps?  Well, you make him his own Thanksgiving feast.

Don’t know where to start?  There are hundreds of recipes available online that can help you create the best Thanksgiving meal for your dog.  

This recipe makes a large serving, making it easy to feed multiple dogs. Or  you could even refrigerate the left over servings and treat your dog to a homemade meal for the rest of the week.

What You'll Need:

• 2 lbs. ground turkey
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 8 oz. peas
• 3 carrots, diced
• 1 apple, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

How to Prepared:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 
2. In mixing bowl, combine all ingredients. Mix well by hand. 
3. On baking sheet, form into the shape of a large dog bone (or smaller dog bones if you have more than 1 dog or you plan on saving the leftovers).  
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes. 
5. Let cool and serve.  

It's as simple as that!  So why not treat your dog to a Thanksgiving feast this year.  He will thank you by letting you eat your feast in peace. 

Watching Weight

 

The holiday season is the time where most of us are blowing our diet on sweet treats and over-indulgent meals.  While you may obsess over your own diet on the regular (or maybe you don't), have you given much thought to your dog's diet? Specifically, how much he/she is getting to eat? 

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 52.7 percent of dogs are overweight or obese.  That's a little more than half of all the dogs in the U. S.  So whether or not you have asked yourself the question, "How much should I be feeding my dog?", the odds are you're feeding him/her too much.   

Excessive weight not only adds health issues that will keep you at the vets office, it also shortens the life of your fur baby.  So, if you haven't asked the question, there's no time like the present.  

How much should I feed my dog?

1. Food Label Recommendations -

A good starting point is the recommended feeding amount provided by the manufacturer. Of course, this recommendations are just that, recommendations, since the food company does not know your dog's specific calorie needs which can vary greatly depending on their level of activity, metabolism, and other factors. But, its a good starting point. Monitor how much you feed her, track her weight closely, and adjust accordingly. 

2. Appropriate Measurements -

If you measure your dogs food out in cups, be sure to use a measuring cup, not just any cup. Or use a measuring scale to be even more accurate. This will ensure you are giving your dog precisely the right amount of food, especially for small dogs, where one or two extra kibbles can actually make a difference.

3. Homemade Math - 

If you make homemade meals for your dog, calculate the amount of food as a percentage of your dog's body weight. Keep in mind smaller dogs eat a larger percentage of their body weight than bigger dogs do. Its best to feed most non-athlete pets only lean meats with less than 10% fat. And dogs fed grains and other strachy carbs will eat more food by weight than those fed primarily meat. 

4. Adding Up Extras -

Don't forget to include extra treats you give your dog throughout the day.  Those treats add up in calories and may undermine your efforts to slim your dog down. Unfortunately, many treats do not say how many calories each treat contains. One little treat can easily put your dog over their calorie count for the day.  For example: Greenies have about 272 calories each (depending on the size) while Bully sticks may contain 29 calories per inch. Simple Milk Bone Biscuits can have 10 to 225 calories each and Rawhides can have 80 calories per ounce. If you would like to know the calorie count for your dog's favorite treat, and it's not on the packaging, you can always contact the company.

5. Adding in the Right Foods - 

If you are trying to help your dog slim down but their sad portion of kibble doesn't satisfy them, you can try adding human food; as long as it's the right human food.  Adding in non-starchy vegetables, which are low in calories and provide valuable antioxidants and phytonutrients, may help your dog feel fuller. Some examples are carrots, broccoli, zucchini, green beans, and other leafy greens. While you can give these veggies as raw snacks, they need to be cooked in order for your dog to digest them.  Other beneficial human foods you can add include skinless chicken breast, low-fat or non-fat yogurt and cottage cheese, as well as sardines (packed in water, not oil).

If you are unsure if your dog (or cat) needs to slim down, consult your vet. They can help you figure out your pet's ideal weight, and you can go from there.

For more on Pet Obesity Prevention, visit the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention website.

For dog food advice, reviews, and tools, including a food calculator, check out DogFoodAdvisor.com.

Fall's Simple Solution for Tummy Troubles

Fall is the season of the pumpkin.  Pumpkin treats are everywhere from desserts to coffee, and of course pumpkin carving for Halloween.  But did you also know it serves as a great remedy for dogs with upset stomachs?

Diarrhea and constipation are common ailments that plague dogs regularly, and there isn’t a whole lot they can do about it when it happens.

Diarrhea can happen for many reasons, such as a food allergy, a bacterial or viral infection, or a parasite problem (worms or Giardia); but most commonly it happens from a sudden change in diet or eating something that didn’t agree with them, and they simply need to pass it.

Constipation can also occur for many reason, such as from a lack of exercise or a blocked passage (i.e. enlarged gland; ate something that won't pass easily; matted hair around the anus; etc.). But most commonly it happens from getting too much or too little fiber in their diet. 

In those more common cases of diarrhea and constipation, where there is no serious underlying issue, there is a simple solution. Canned pumpkin.

Canned pumpkin, found at your neighborhood grocer, is a great source of fiber as well as Vitamin E, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Potassium.  It is also a healthy supplement low in Saturated Fat, Sodium and Cholesterol. These characteristics make pumpkin an excellent source of natural relief in the digestion process, helping cure an upset stomach, solidify runny stool, and also soften stool causing constipation.  

Some vets even recommend pumpkin for help with weight loss because the high fiber content will make your dog feel fuller despite any reduction in the amount they eating. But always consult your vet before making that sort of dietary change for your dog.

If you are going to give your dog pumpkin to help stop diarrhea or constipation, here’s what you need to know:

Use only canned pumpkin (which can be found in the baking section of the grocery store) or cooked pumpkin.  Do Not use Pumpkin pie filling or mix – It’s not the same thing.

·         For a small dog: Give 1 – 2 teaspoons of pumpkin (mixed in with their food, if they’ll eat. Otherwise just a treat to lick).

·         For a larger dog: Give 1 - 2 tablespoons of pumpkin mixed in with their food, if they’ll eat. Otherwise just a treat to lick).

·         For medium sized dogs, which can be a broad measurement in the dog world, give them an amount between the two options, depending on if they are closer to a small size dog or a larger dog.

Normal diarrhea and constipation are usually cured quickly with pumpkin, so you don’t typically need to give them very many servings.  But, pumpkin is still a beneficial supplement for a dog and worth hanging on to, so if you find yourself with leftover pumpkin you have 2 options:

 

1.    You can split the remaining pumpkin up into baggies of 1 - 2 tablespoons and keep them in the freezer for future use.

Or

2.    Continue to add pumpkin to your dog’s food until you finish the can.  Or, if you like, continue to give pumpkin even after that, to aid in healthy digestion.   This can be a great option for dogs with sensitive stomachs who tend to have loose stool regularly.