GIARDIASIS OF DOGS AT A BREEDING STATION

Giardia intestinalis is a pathogenic protozoan which infects humans an d a wide range of animals including dogs. Giardia infections in dogs h ave been reported by several authors. Prevalence of Giardia varies wid ely depending on the detection method , geographic localization, and p opulation studied. The objective of the study reported here was to det ermine the prevalence of giardiasis in German Shepherd Dogs in a breed ing unit. In our trial conducted over 18 months, 28 bitches, 5 adult m ales and 101 puppies (between 1.5 and 12 months old) were subjected to individual fecal examination for Giardia cysts, coccidial oocysts and helminth ova. Total 494 individual fecal samples were examined by the magnesium sulphate flotation technique (1.30 sp. gr) and Giardia cyst s were detected in 36.2% of fecal samples. Giardia cysts were observed in 1 of 29 (3.4%) fecal samples from adult males, 11 of 157 (7.0%) fe cal samples from bitches and 164 of 308 (53.2%) puppies' fecal specime ns. No association between bouts of diarrhea and peaks of Giardia cyst s shedding could be demonstrated. The source of infection for the pups was not ascertained, as no temporal association between shedding of G iardia cyst by bitches and their litters could be demonstrated. The ma jority of pups had passed peak of Giardia cyst shedding between week 6 of age 12 week of age. When Giardia infection was detected, the dogs were treated with either ornidazole (Avrazor, Leciva) at 25 mg/kg or m etronidazole (Entizol, Polfa) 50 mg/kg for three to five days. Within seven days of completing a course of treatment fecal examinations were carried out on each dog to determine whether treatment had been effec tive. All treated animals were found to be Giardia-positive at least o nce following treatment over the period of the study. Simultaneous she dding of Giardia cysts, Isospora canis oocysts and Toxocara canis ova was confirmed. The concurrent infections with coccidium Isospora canis and helminth Toxocara canis did not show the effect on the Giardia cy sts shedding. The coprological examination of the persons working in a breeding unit did not reveal any Giardia cysts. In the present paper, a potential source of Giardia infection for the dogs in a breeding un it, as well as giardiais as a zoonosis are being discussed.