From the Guidelines
Yes, you can get Giardia from your dog, though it's not common, and taking precautions like proper handwashing and hygiene is crucial to prevent transmission. Giardia is a microscopic parasite that can be transmitted between dogs and humans, particularly when humans come into contact with dog feces containing the parasite and then touch their mouth without proper handwashing. The most common way people contract Giardia is through contaminated water, not from pets, as highlighted in a study on the evaluation of functional diarrhea and diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome in adults 1. If your dog is diagnosed with Giardia, take precautions like wearing gloves when cleaning up feces, washing hands thoroughly after handling your dog, and keeping your dog from licking your face.
Some key points to consider when dealing with Giardia transmission from dogs to humans include:
- Wearing gloves when cleaning up feces
- Washing hands thoroughly after handling your dog
- Keeping your dog from licking your face
- Regular handwashing and good hygiene practices as the best prevention methods
- Consulting your doctor if you develop symptoms like diarrhea, stomach cramps, or nausea after exposure to an infected dog.
It's essential to note that Giardia infection typically lasts 2–6 weeks but can become chronic and may recur after treatment, as mentioned in the study 1. Symptoms are similar to functional diarrhea or irritable bowel syndrome with diarrhea, bloating, and pain. Current guidelines suggest testing for ova and parasite examination, with further molecular testing of stools when these are negative but suspicion is still high, which may include enzyme immunoassay tests or nucleic acid amplification tests like polymerase chain reaction 1.
From the Research
Transmission of Giardia
- Giardia is transmitted by the fecal-oral route, frequently through ingestion of contaminated water and food or person-to-person transmission 2
- The parasite can be spread through contact with contaminated feces, which can be found in the environment, contaminated water, or through direct contact with an infected individual, including pets 2
Giardia in Dogs
- While the provided studies do not directly address the transmission of Giardia from dogs to humans, it is known that Giardia can infect dogs and other animals 2
- The parasite can be shed in the feces of infected dogs, potentially contaminating the environment and posing a risk of transmission to humans 2
Prevention and Treatment
- Purification of water supply is an important preventive measure to reduce the risk of Giardia transmission 2
- Treatment of giardiasis typically involves the use of antigiardial drugs, such as metronidazole, tinidazole, and nitazoxanide 3, 2, 4
- In cases of nitroimidazole-refractory giardiasis, alternative treatment options, such as quinacrine, paromomycin, and nitazoxanide, may be considered 5