Giardia lamblia is also a common parasitic disease in pet cats. There are data showing a prevalence of 1.4%-11%. The infection rate is higher in cats kept outdoors and in high density cat colonies. This article today provides an all-round knowledge of Giardia lamblia, from a brief description, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of the six aspects. Giardia lamblia, called Giardia duodenalis by some veterinarians and Giardia intestinalis by others, is a protozoan parasitic disease caused by Giardia lamblia. When a cat is infected with Giardia lamblia, some cats will not show any symptoms and others will show clinical signs. The pathogen is parasitic in the small intestine in most cases, and in rare cases in the large intestine. Giardia lamblia does not migrate outside of the small and large intestine, nor does it become trans-placental or mammary gland infections. This means that when the mother is infected with this parasite, the kittens will not be infected genetically or through suckling. Transmission routes: 1. food and water transmission; 2. fecal transmission; 3. environmental transmission. Causes: 1) Ingestion of infected food and water; 2) Contact with feces of infected organisms. 3. Giardia lamblia, which is an encysted species, is infectious because it can survive for months in a moist and cold environment when excreted in feces. Infection can occur when cats come into contact with it. Cats living outdoors and in high density cat colonies are more likely to be infected with this disease. Symptoms Cats infected with Giardia lamblia can excrete infective encysted Giardia lamblia in the feces for 5 to 16 days. Most cats infected with this disease will not develop clinical signs, and some will develop clinical signs within 5 days. Clinical signs include: small or large intestinal diarrhea, steatorrhea, abdominal rales, weight loss (weight loss), and production of intestinal mucosal tissue, which may result in dehydration, lethargy, vomiting, and bloody stools if treatment is delayed, with a variety of complications. Diagnostic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA): a diagnostic kit for Giardia lamblia with high sensitivity and specificity. It is more recommended. Zinc sulfate fecal floatation test: can be used in the laboratory, under the microscope, mostly to differentiate Trichuris from Giardia. Physiological saline smear: microscopic observation, with a 25-40% chance of observing encysted and cleaved bodies. Treatment with medication Supportive therapy medication of choice is fenbendazole, 25-50 mg/kg q24hPO3-5d. (25-50 mg per kg, orally once in 24 hours for 3 to 5 days). Choose metronidazole, 20-25mg/kgq12hPO7d. (The dose per kg is 20-25mg once in 12 hours, orally, for 7 days of continuous treatment.) Supportive therapy is also developed according to the actual situation, mainly to prevent dehydration, anemia, electrolyte and acid-base balance, cold, and nutrition to keep up with the situation. Prevention 1. Pay attention to hygiene 2. Sterilize regularly 3. Try not to take the cat outdoors to play: at least one quarter of cats infected with Giardia are infected outdoors. 4. Don’t keep cats too densely: avoid high density cat colonies. 5. Ensure safe food and water sources. Note that if the cat has been infected with flagellates, do not panic, active treatment is the main thing.
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