Giardia are protozoans which inhabit the digestive tracts of cats. They are a one-cell organism. Giardia cysts (the second stage of reproduction) are spread from one cat to another and by being passed within the faeces. They are very resilient and can live for several months while moist and not exposed to light. They are also resistant to being frozen.
A cat with giardia protozons is said to have 'giardiasis' though not all infected cats will become ill. Many carry the organism for years with no ill effects. However, they can pass the infection to other cats through ingesting faecal matter, usually in litter trays or in the garden. Cats may also become infected by drinking from contaminated pond or other water.
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The most common symptom of giardiasis is diarrhoea, which could contain blood or mucus. If you notice your cat losing weight or not eating, becoming listless or depressed and no longer grooming itself, I would recommend a trip to the vet. These symptoms can related to a number of intestinal or other problems and your vet is the best one to diagnose the problem.
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Diagnosis is made through microscopic examination of faecal matter. However, be aware that your vet may need to test several different samples over a few days for a positive diagnosis. This is because the cysts are not continuously shed in the faeces. Giardiasis is more common in multiple-cat households so make sure you clean the litter tray daily to help prevent the spread of the disease. Cats that are less than twelve months old have a greater chance of becoming infected.
After your cat ingests the infected matter, it will usually take from 5 to 16 days to show signs of illness, most commonly diarrhoea. This can range from being irregular to chronic or continuous.
There are some effective medications but resistance, especially in cats, can be fairly widespread. It may take more than one course of treatment or use of a variety of treatments for the problem to be eliminated.
Conscientious cleaning and disinfecting of your cat's litter tray is essential to prevent the spread of giardia to other cats in the household. You could also try a solution of one part of bleach to 30 parts of water to clean the trays themselves. Also, I would make sure there is always plenty of fresh water for your cats to drink.
Feline Giardia
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