Animals infected with hookworm can be safely and effectively treated with Drontal Plus or Interceptor. Severely debilitated dogs will need to additional supportive care as required. As with other protozoans Giardia is a single celled organism. It is a tear drop shaped cell that is adapted for attachment to the mucous epithelial cells of the small intestine. This trophozoite phase is occasionally found in the feces of infected animals, but mature Giardia cysts are more commonly seen.
Contaminated water is the most common source of infection.
Clinically animals with Giardia vary in symptomology from aclinical to severe enteritis and weight loss. This protozoan is rarely found with simple fecal floatation techniques. Direct wet smear examination of fresh feces or a fecal concentration technique yield the best results. Effective treatment can be accomplished with a course of metronidazole. There are many species of coccidia all of which are quite host specific.