VET226: Small and Large Animal Medicine Research Project
Danielle DeAngelis
Student ID: 58927090
, Danielle DeAngelis
58927090
12/20/2025
VET226: Small and Large Animal Medicine Research Project
As a Veterinary Technician, one is sure to encounter a vast array of diseases among pets,
livestock, and wildlife alike. It is important to be able to recognize and understand the many
types of disease and their causes, processes, and treatments. A proficient technician will have
familiarity with many types of disease, including infectious, parasitic, neoplastic, among many
others.
One parasitic infection that many of those working in the veterinary field are familiar
with, Giardia. Giardia duodenalis is a highly contagious protozoal infection. Giardia is a single
celled parasite that causes an intestinal infection called Giardiasis. Giardia has several different
assemblages, A-H, which tend to affect different species. Canines are very commonly affected
by Giardia, although many species can be infected, including cats, horses, livestock, and even
humans. Giardia types C and D most commonly infect canines.
Dogs become infected by ingesting cysts found in the environment. These cysts are
highly environmentally resistant and can survive for months. These cysts can be found in
contaminated food and water sources, as well as ingested through direct contact with feces. Dogs
can easily become infected in highly populated areas like kennels and dog parks. Once ingested,
the cysts change into the trophozoite stage in the intestine, causing clinical signs. Some dogs
infected with giardia may not have any clinical signs, leading them to spread contaminated feces
without knowing.
Although some infected canines are asymptomatic, the most common symptom
associated with giardia infection is diarrhea. The stool is often foul-smelling and may have fat or
mucus. More severe cases can lead to abdominal discomfort, bloating, vomiting, lethargy, and
, Danielle DeAngelis
58927090
12/20/2025
dehydration. While the effects of giardia are often mild, the infection can be incredibly harmful
for immune compromised canines, including puppies and senior dogs.
Giardia is most often diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination, patient
history and fecal testing. Several types of testing are used including a direct smear or fecal
flotation. A direct smear technique is used to detect the presence of trophozoites. A fecal
flotation test is used to detect cysts. Veterinarians may recommend testing samples over a period
of time, as cysts are shed intermittently and may not always be present in the stool even with an
active infection. The Giardia snap test is also commonly used for diagnosis. The snap test detects
the presence of the Giardia antigen and results are available rapidly (Giardia: Infection,
Treatment and Prevention, n.d.).
The most important steps to take when controlling the spread of Giardia are strict
environmental hygiene and sanitation. Because dogs do not develop immunity after giardia
infection, they can easily become reinfected. Dog owners should take care to ensure that pets
have access to clean drinking water. Because Giardia can survive in grassy areas for 7-8 weeks,
it is important that feces is cleaned up and disposed of as soon as possible. Food and water bowls
should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Pet’s kennels, bedding, and living environment
should be disinfected often. Dogs should be bathed often to remove any cyst-containing fecal
material from the fur. Routine fecal testing is another important step in ensuring a healthy pet
that is not unknowingly spreading cysts. If a dog has tested positive for Giardia, it is
recommended to isolate the animal until treatment is completed.
Danielle DeAngelis
Student ID: 58927090
, Danielle DeAngelis
58927090
12/20/2025
VET226: Small and Large Animal Medicine Research Project
As a Veterinary Technician, one is sure to encounter a vast array of diseases among pets,
livestock, and wildlife alike. It is important to be able to recognize and understand the many
types of disease and their causes, processes, and treatments. A proficient technician will have
familiarity with many types of disease, including infectious, parasitic, neoplastic, among many
others.
One parasitic infection that many of those working in the veterinary field are familiar
with, Giardia. Giardia duodenalis is a highly contagious protozoal infection. Giardia is a single
celled parasite that causes an intestinal infection called Giardiasis. Giardia has several different
assemblages, A-H, which tend to affect different species. Canines are very commonly affected
by Giardia, although many species can be infected, including cats, horses, livestock, and even
humans. Giardia types C and D most commonly infect canines.
Dogs become infected by ingesting cysts found in the environment. These cysts are
highly environmentally resistant and can survive for months. These cysts can be found in
contaminated food and water sources, as well as ingested through direct contact with feces. Dogs
can easily become infected in highly populated areas like kennels and dog parks. Once ingested,
the cysts change into the trophozoite stage in the intestine, causing clinical signs. Some dogs
infected with giardia may not have any clinical signs, leading them to spread contaminated feces
without knowing.
Although some infected canines are asymptomatic, the most common symptom
associated with giardia infection is diarrhea. The stool is often foul-smelling and may have fat or
mucus. More severe cases can lead to abdominal discomfort, bloating, vomiting, lethargy, and
, Danielle DeAngelis
58927090
12/20/2025
dehydration. While the effects of giardia are often mild, the infection can be incredibly harmful
for immune compromised canines, including puppies and senior dogs.
Giardia is most often diagnosed through a combination of a physical examination, patient
history and fecal testing. Several types of testing are used including a direct smear or fecal
flotation. A direct smear technique is used to detect the presence of trophozoites. A fecal
flotation test is used to detect cysts. Veterinarians may recommend testing samples over a period
of time, as cysts are shed intermittently and may not always be present in the stool even with an
active infection. The Giardia snap test is also commonly used for diagnosis. The snap test detects
the presence of the Giardia antigen and results are available rapidly (Giardia: Infection,
Treatment and Prevention, n.d.).
The most important steps to take when controlling the spread of Giardia are strict
environmental hygiene and sanitation. Because dogs do not develop immunity after giardia
infection, they can easily become reinfected. Dog owners should take care to ensure that pets
have access to clean drinking water. Because Giardia can survive in grassy areas for 7-8 weeks,
it is important that feces is cleaned up and disposed of as soon as possible. Food and water bowls
should be cleaned and disinfected regularly. Pet’s kennels, bedding, and living environment
should be disinfected often. Dogs should be bathed often to remove any cyst-containing fecal
material from the fur. Routine fecal testing is another important step in ensuring a healthy pet
that is not unknowingly spreading cysts. If a dog has tested positive for Giardia, it is
recommended to isolate the animal until treatment is completed.
