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Giardia

Posted By: Anonymous

Giardia - 06/04/04 11:08 AM

As you all know I just recently purchsed my first joey, Sachi. I took her to the Vet last night for her first check up, and informed them that as soon as I switched to the BML her stool became loose. We both thought it was dietary, but decided to do a stool sample any ways. Well, come to find out she has the parasite giardia. I was curious if anyone has some information on this parasite, and what it does to our babies. He stated that she probably had it before I even purchased her since I have only had her for 2 weeks.
But, much kudos to you guys here. He asked me where I get my glider information from and I informed him of this site. He is a glider specialist, and came highly recremended to me from other Vet's. He asked for permission to use the web-site link on his site to provide to his other glider patients. He stated that he had browsed the site before and found that your information was the best stuff out there right now. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yelclap.gif" alt="" /> He did say that the pellets were bad and recremended the leadbetters diet. He gave me a few more recipies, but said what I was giving her right now was better for her than the ones in books. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> W2G Bourbon!!! So after all that was said I wanted to thank you for all the help you have given to me and Sachi, and would like permission from the Host to give the site address to Dr. Brinker to post on his site and give to other glider lovers. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/gliderangel.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/gliderangel.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Charlie H

Re: Giardia - 06/04/04 11:28 AM

It is not uncommon for a glider to have an outbreak of Giardia after a change in diet or drinking water. Also any stress, especially like changing homes will sometimes cause an outbreak. It is easily treated but you need to keep the cage and all food and water dishes sterilized. Be sure the joey is drinking plenty of water along with it's medication. If I were you I would inform the breeder that they should have their gliders checked just in case it did come from there.
Charlie H
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Giardia - 06/04/04 11:48 AM

Thanks, will do. I got Sachi from a pet store, so should I also report it? And where would I do so if I should?
Posted By: Karin

Re: Giardia - 06/04/04 01:59 PM

Kudos to you for getting her a vet check right away!!! Giardia can get very nasty if not treated <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/worried2.gif" alt="" />.
Report it to the pet store for sure. Giardia can affect most animals, so they could have a situation on their hands at the store in fact, and be unaware.

Karin
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Giardia - 06/04/04 03:59 PM

Where does the giardia parasite come from?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Giardia - 06/04/04 04:32 PM

I was able to do some research and I read that it is from dirty living conditions, fecal matter in the food, or can be induced by stressful situations. My vet thinks it is from the living conditions. If you google search giardia you can learn a lot from it. It can also be passed to humans if your not careful. It lives in the small intestine, but it is treatable.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Giardia - 06/04/04 04:50 PM

here is the site i went to...
http://www.biosci.ohio-state.edu/~parasite/giardia.html <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/read.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Giardia - 06/04/04 08:50 PM

it is so good that you caught this early. giardia can cause sm in sgs!
Posted By: Critter Creations

Re: Giardia - 06/05/04 12:04 AM

Giardia can cause dehydration and ultimately death if not caught and treated early. I would have your tap water checked or stop using it just in case that is where it came from. You can use bottled water instead. The pet store should be notified so they can get thier other gliders checked and treated if necessary. It could have came from thier tap water. Was the glider in filthy conditions when you purchased her/him? If it was then I would report the store to the USDA as that is an offense. You are a great owner to have caught this so early and taken your glider to the vet for dx and treatment. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Bourbon

Re: Giardia - 06/05/04 04:33 AM

Giardia is usually treated with metroniazadozal or something like that it is a generic form of flagyl, once diagnosed and treated the full term of the meds, is is usually taken care of, for the first 6 months have fecals run regularly, once a month I would suggest if it was found in the tests. reason will be explained below. If one is found, treat it.

as for giardia it is a nasty little parasite as was stated earlier. it is a protozan parasit that is found in water and on fruits and veggies. it is so tough it can actually pass through water treatment plants totally unaffected. there are very few water filtering systems, that can filter it, and then they can only get I think 98%, we have found the switch to the spring water has been effective.

now, it is a shelled mullusk, which means it actually has a shel that closes around it, once it attaches to the intestional wall. it can stay dormant and protected in that state for up to 3 months. (hence why the regular testing. to be sure it is gone.)

if left untreated they will multiply at a rapid rate, and litterally feed off of your glider, causeing sever dehydration, and runny stools, eventually death. it is very difficult to find when they are in the dormant stages.

I hope this answersyour questions regarding the giardia.

as for whether or not you glider got the giardia, though the petstore, or through your water is really irrelavant, the most important thing is to diagnose (it was), treat, and you will, and to do everything in your power to prevent it from returning.

If he found the giardia was multiple, chances are it came from the petshop, and notifying the petshop so they can treat their remaining gliders, as Danielle had stated.

staying on the meds full term, cleaning the cage and everything in it thouroughly, (especialy the tube and under the washer of the water bottle) using the spring water. Is about the best you can do. having a vet that is there for you also is very important. Kudos to him for finding it, Kudos to you for taking him in early.

giardia is not uncommon, but must be treated..and prevention must be heeded.
Posted By: Judie

Re: Giardia - 06/05/04 05:48 AM

Small Kittens, puppies, birds and small mammals all can carry Giardia. So, it is not uncommon for a pet from a pet store to be contaminated this time of the year when there is an abundance of kittens and puppies being brought into a shop needing homes. Employees who clean the cages without a good disinfectant will spread the parasite from cage to cage.

Giardia is spread in wet feces....so anything it touches will spread the eggs. While working for a vet clinic....I learned that the best disenfectant to use to clean to get rid of Giardia is.... 4 oz. of Bleach to a Gallon of hot soapy water and then rinse well.

Cage must be totally stripped down and everything scrubbed....toys,dishes,water bottle, and cage. Wash the pouch and blankies in Hot Soapy water, rinse and dry in the dryer. High heat will kill the the eggs as well. Then several times a day...wipe down areas of the cage that have pooh on it with clean disenfectant of bleach and hot water and rinse.

I have found from experience best method of treatment when treating with med is..... 5 days on the med(Flagyl)and five days off and repeated for three rounds. This seems to get rid of the parasite if in different stages of developement thus preventing further outbreak down the road.
Posted By: Charlie H

Re: Giardia - 06/05/04 12:09 PM

All of the posts on the possible source of giardia are good ones. One thing to keep in mind about giardia, is that it exists in all animals including people. There does not have to be an immediate outside source of contimation for an animal to have an outbreak. Anytime the animals system is compromised there can be an outbreak of giardia. In gliders, it is known that the stress of simply changing enviorments has been known to cause an outbreak of giardia. In a healthy animal the immune system keeps the giardia under control but it does not take much to tip the balance and cause a population explosinon of the parasite.
Charlie H
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Giardia - 06/07/04 02:47 PM

I already informed the pet store here, so do not go to Pet World here in Newport News Virginia until I hear back from the USDA. I reported the issue to them as well. I have been giving her the meto.... (cant spell <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" />) and I have a follow up scheduled and another stool check scheduled for a few days. The medicine has made her lethargic, so I try to keep an eye on her.
The only reson I use tap water is because bottled water does not have flouride in it. I want her teeth to be strong since she is to small for me to brush them like I do my puppy. Being in the dental field I know how important this is, especially for my pets.
I appreciate all the help from you guys, but I think shes going to be ok since I had her checked so early. Thank goodness I did, I just went in for an annual/first vet visit. Go figure I catch something early. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/agree.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Judie

Re: Giardia - 06/07/04 03:08 PM

The medication should not make your glider lathorgic. However, being dehydrated will. If this is the case...suggest you get you little one back to the vet ASAP. Dehydration can kill a glider very quickly due to lack of fluids and electrolytes.
Posted By: Critter Creations

Re: Giardia - 06/07/04 06:45 PM

My glider was never lethargic on this medication either. You really need to get your glider in ASAP to make sure she is ok. Dehydration can happen in a matter of an hour or so. So your glider could have been fine when you had it at the vet and it isn't now. Please have the vet check your glider out and please keep us updated on what happens with it. I will keep your glider in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted By: Charlie H

Re: Giardia - 06/08/04 12:41 AM

Somthing to consider is that your glider could have something else wrong with it that compromised the imune system and caused the giardia to become active. We may be looking in the wrong areas for the basic cause of the problem. Since the glider did test positive for giardia naturally the vet is going to treat it for that. But maybe they should run other tests to see if the glider has other problems that are causing the giardia. Maybe a virus or bacteria infection that they are overlooking.
Charlie H
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Giardia - 06/08/04 12:52 AM

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/littleglider.gif" alt="" /> [:"purple"]i am sorry to get <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/offtopic.gif" alt="" /> but what other disinfectants are good to use for giardia? i would rather not use bleach. what about rubbing alcohol or peroxide? (yes, i will be rinsing afterward.) [/]
Posted By: Judie

Re: Giardia - 06/08/04 04:03 AM

Giardia is a Tough Bug. To my knowledge there is nothing better than 4 oz of Bleach to one Gallon of hot water.

So, my suggestion is call your vet and ask if there is another disenfectant that can be used that is just as effective as the Bleach Solution. If there is...let us know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Critter Creations

Re: Giardia - 06/08/04 04:56 AM

I agree with Judie. There is no reason to fear using bleach. I used to use that instead of vinegar to clean my cages and I never had a problem. If you rinse well there is no problem what so ever. Besides it dries and evaporates rather quickly anyway. Rinsing is just a precautionary measure that should definately be done. If your real worried powerwash it to rinse it. THese would be very effective. If you don't have a powerwasher go to the car wash. When your thinknig of cages keep these things in mind when you are considering size. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Giardia - 06/08/04 10:48 AM

Well, she is eating and drinking all the time, so I dont believe it is dehydration. I think she may be lonley. I am in the process of picking up a glider from a breeder in NC next week. BUT, to be safe i am going to request that they run other tests to ensure shes ok. I have only had her for 2 weeks, and I love her to much already to find out shes deathly ill or something. What kind of test's can they run, and has ne one had this type of problem before? Maybe they can give me a clue as to what to look for. She has been much less lethargic since we began the meds. And her stool is thickining up. Lemme know <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/read.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Judie

Re: Giardia - 06/08/04 11:18 AM

I would put off getting another glider till this little one is well. And then...perhaps 30 days or so after that. Be nothing worse than to get a healthy baby and then it become sick as well.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Giardia - 06/08/04 02:05 PM

well I am keeping them in seperate cages for now. That way I wont get the otherone ill. I will get the new one used to me first, then introduce them once Sachi is better, or am I wrong in thinking that'll be ok? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/multi.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Critter Creations

Re: Giardia - 06/08/04 02:09 PM

That will be fine. Just be sure to quarantine them each for at least 30 days after she seems well. Make sure to wash hands when going between cages. This is very important not to miss. Make sure to scrub them good not just a quick wash.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Giardia - 06/08/04 07:37 PM

whew, that is good to know, I have a cage upstairs next to my bed for my new baby coming next week, and i have Sachi's cage downstairs. Washing hands after handleing wont be difficult, I work in a hospital!!! LOL I am suprized my hands havnt washed away yet!!! LOL <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/agree.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />
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