Giardia is a protozoal parasite found in lakes, streams,
ditches and other outdoor water sources. The parasite is shed by wild
animals high up in the watershed, and as the water travels down, it
becomes even more contaminated by other animals living near it. Any dog
or cat drinking from a pond, river, or other natural water source is
likely to ingest the cysts of this persistent parasite. Once inside, the
cysts hatch, grow, and reproduce. Giardia causes profuse,
uncontrollable, often watery diarrhea, sometimes with blood and mucus
associated with it.
The drugs most commonly used to treat Giardia
are metronidazole, an antibiotic, and fenbendazole a dewormer. Each of
them is about 70% effective; that is, they only work about 70% of the
time. Because some parasites may be left alive, recurrent infections are
possible even after treatment.
However, there is a natural
protocol for getting rid of Giardia, that has been used many times
successfully (and safely) in cats and dogs. We even cleared a cattery
that had many infected kittens. It utilizes digestive enzymes on an
empty stomach. With no food in the system, the digestive enzymes go to
work on anything else that might be in the intestines--including
parasites. It's been reported to work for Coccidia, and could also theoretically get rid of Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidia, Neosporum, Tritrichomonas foetus, and similar protozoal parasites.
First,
you'll need a bottle of digestive enzymes (plant or fungi based) and
one or more syringes; you can usually talk your vet into giving you a
few 3 or 6 cc syringes (without needles). Do not get enzymes in
combination with anything else such as probiotics or other supplements.
It must be pure digestive enzymes alone. Make sure the product you
select contains at least protease, amylase, and lipase (some also
contain cellulase and other enzymes). These digest protein, starch, and
fat, respectively. One product I have used is called Prozyme, which is
available at many pet stores and online.
Note that the enzymes
MUST be given on an empty stomach. If you leave food out for your pet
24/7, this protocol will NOT work. Food must be fed in meals, at least
30 (preferably 60) minutes after each dose of enzymes. If there is any
food in the animal's digestive system, the enzymes will digest the food
instead, and the parasites will flourish undisturbed. enzymes cannot be
hidden in a pill pocket or a piece of cheese--there can be no food in
the tummy!
Take 1 capsule of enzymes for each animal to be
treated, and mix with a tiny amount of water to make a slurry. Use the
syringe to give the slurry by mouth. In most cases it's easiest to
insert the syringe in the corner of the mouth between or behind teeth
and squirt. The mixture does not taste that bad, but cats in particular
are just not gracious about taking meds. Be careful, but be firm.
Round 1:
Give a dose of digestive enzymes 1/2 to 1 hour before morning and
evening meal, and a dose at bedtime. Take the syringe apart and rinse
clean after each dose (otherwise the residue builds up and the plunger
will stick). Repeat daily for 8 days.
Rest: Take a break for 1 week. This allows time for resistant cysts to "hatch."
Round 2: Repeat digestive enzyme treatment for 7 days.
And
that's it! In my experience in 15 years as a veterinarian, this
protocol has been a much safer and more effective treatment than drugs.
