Cats usually get giardia by ingesting the organism, which then makes its way into the intestines. There, it attaches to the intestinal walls and starts to divide and multiply. Diarrhea is one of the symptoms. Symptoms are most noticeable in younger cats and can be sudden, chronic, intermittent or even temporary. This is what often delays diagnosis and treatment. Just as you’ve decided Kitty needs a trip to the vet, the diarrhea stops. The first thing that comes to mind is, “He must have eaten something he shouldn’t have and now is over it.” In fact, the parasite is still there, but just not as obvious.
How Cats Become Infected with Giardia
The parasite, in the form of cysts, is shed through feces, and that is one way for cats to get giardia. However, the parasite also likes a cool, damp environment. Almost all animals in shelters develop giardia because of the close living quarters and extreme exposure. For dogs, if a shelter hoses down the floor where a dog has pooped, and the dog then licks up some of the water, he could acquire the cysts. In a home situation, only 11% of cats have the parasite. If Kitty grooms an infected cat, he could be infected too.
Giardia can damage the lining of the intestines and interfere with food absorption or digestion. Many cats diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) have a history of giardia infections.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Giardia in Cats
The main symptom of giardiasis in cats is diarrhea. Many times it is a sudden onset of acute diarrhea, foul-smelling, sometimes greenish in hue and possibly even tainted with some blood. Feces may be of varying consistency, and sometimes mucus is present as well. Cats can live with chronic giardiasis, which can be asymptomatic for a while, flaring up into intermittent or chronic diarrhea at other times. More acute forms of chronic diarrhea due to giardiasis can develop in cats with weaker immune systems, such as kittens, senior cats and FIV or FeLV cats.
Chronic diarrhea can be life-threatening to a cat since dehydration is a result. How do you recognize dehydration? Disorientation, lack of coordination, panting, depression, lack of activity, loss of elasticity in the skin (a pinch of skin stays pinched instead of smoothing out immediately), sunken eyes, loss of appetite, dry mouth and a rapid heartbeat. Instead of being her usual self, Kitty may sleep even more and move around less. Like humans, cats could go without food for a short time, but water is essential to blood circulation, digestion, elimination and brain function, as water makes up 80% of a cat’s body.
The best way to be sure just what is the cause of diarrhea is to have the veterinarian do a swab test. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), an inability to absorb nutrients from food, and malnourishment could be other causes. Fecal testing can have false results so that you think your cat is healthy while parasites are still present. This can be the fault of the test or because parasites don’t show up in every swabbing. If Kitty has been tested and pronounced healthy, but still has chronic diarrhea, before jumping to the conclusion it’s something else, ask for a fecal antigen test in addition to a regular fecal float. It checks for any giardia antigens present.
Treatment of Giardia in Cats
Your veterinarian will prescribe medicine for Kitty, most likely an antibiotic such as Metronidazole (Flagyl). It’s also a good idea to give Kitty baths during this time, since reinfection could occur as Kitty sheds the cyst parasites. Even if you don’t bathe your cat, make sure you maintain a good level of hygiene. Clean the litterbox thoroughly and don’t forget to wash your own hands frequently before and after you handle Kitty’s litter or food every time.
Giardia is a common infection, easily treated but not so easily diagnosed. If Kitty develops diarrhea, a trip to the veterinarian is warranted. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly after cleaning the litter box or giving Kitty a bath, since giardia can be transmitted to humans, too.
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