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Protozoal Infection in Dogs
What is Protozoal Infection?
Protozoal infections are more common in puppies, seniors, canines with suppressed immune systems and in dogs that are in close-quarters (shelters, kennels, and pet stores).
Some protozoal infections are zoonotic, which means an infected dog can transmit the infection to humans.
Protozoal infections in dogs are caused by protozoans. Protozoans are unicellular organism that are transmitted by the bite of infected insect or by the ingestion of the parasite.
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Symptoms of Protozoal Infection in Dogs
Giardiasis is an intestinal infection in dogs, caused by protozoan the Giardia. Long term giardiasis damages the gastrointestinal tract and causes digestion problems and malnutrition. This protozoa can be transmitted to humans. In the beginning stages the canine may have no symptoms, as the disease progresses signs may include:
- Intermittent diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Vomiting
- Weight loss
- Foul smelling feces
- Flatulence
Babesiosis infection in dogs is caused by protozoan parasite Babesia. Canine babesiosis infections can occur worldwide but there are more diagnosed cases occurring in the southern United States. During the incubation period there may be no symptoms. Some dogs show mild signs while others show more severe symptoms. Symptoms may include one or more of the following:
- Very dark urine
- Fever
- Depression
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Enlarged spleen
- Distended abdomen
- Pale gums
- Weight loss
- Lack of appetite
Toxoplasmosis infection in dogs is a parasitic disease caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii. This protozoan starts off multiplying in the gastrointestinal tract and then spreads to the bloodstream and the lymphatic system. This infection can be transmitted to humans. Pregnant women that are infected by toxoplasmosis can miscarry or transmit the infection to the fetus. Toxoplasmosis may cause congenital defects to the fetus. Clinical signs of toxoplasmosis usually appear 20 days after the parasite was ingested. Signs may include:
- Lack of appetite
- Anorexia
- Fever
- Breathing difficulties
- Inflammation in the eye
- Jaundice
- Cough
- Seizures
- Sudden death
Causes of Protozoal Infection in Dogs
Giardiasis infection is transmitted by ingesting the cyst stage of the parasite:
- Drinking fecal contaminated water
- Smelling or ingesting contaminated feces
- Contaminated feces gets on the dogs fur; he then grooms himself ,ingesting the parasite
Babesiosis infection is transmitted by:
- The bite of infected tick
- An infected dog bites another dog
- Infected mother can pass the parasites through the placenta
- Blood transfusion (with infected blood)
Toxoplasmosis infection is transmitted by:
- Ingesting food or water that has contaminated feces of an infected cat
- Infected mother can pass the parasite through the placenta
- Blood transfusion (with infected blood)
- Dog ingests or bites an infected animal
- Eating raw meat, more common in pork
- Flies and roaches may carry the parasite on their bodies
Diagnosis of Protozoal Infection in Dogs
The veterinarian will go over your pet’s medical history. Let him know what symptoms you have observed and when they started. Also tell the veterinarian if you have seen ticks on your pet, if he has been bitten by another dog, or if your pet has bitten another animal (birds, rodents, cats).
A complete physical exam will be performed on your dog which will include taking his temperature and blood pressure, listening to his heart and lungs with a stethoscope, checking his gums, eyes, reflexes, and palpation of the abdomen and lymph nodes. Diagnostic tests the veterinarian may suggest are a complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistry profile, urinalysis and a fecal exam.
Giardiasis infection can be diagnosed using a fecal flotation test, which can detect the tiny cysts that are shed in the feces. The parasites may also be visible doing a direct smear of the feces on a slide and checking it under a microscope.
Babesiosis infection can be diagnosed by doing a blood smear on a slide and looking under the microscope to identify the parasite. Other diagnostic tests that help diagnose babesiosis infection are:
- FA (fluorescent antibody)
- Polymerases Chain Reaction (PCR) test
- Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test
- Immunofluorescence Antibody (IFA) test
Toxoplasmosis infection can be diagnosed by measuring the antibodies to toxoplasma gondii in the dog’s blood. The parasites may sometimes be visual in a fecal exam.
Treatment of Protozoal Infection in Dogs
In critical cases of protozoal infections, your pet may need to be hospitalized in order to monitor his vitals. Intravenous therapy will be used to administer medications, and fluids to keep him hydrated.
Giardiasis infection is usually treated by a combination of medications such as antibiotic drug metronidazole (Flagyl) and the de-worming drug fenbendazole. In cases of severe diarrhea or nausea your pet will be prescribed medications to help him with digestion problems.
Babesiosis infection patients may need blood transfusion in addition to fluids for hydration. Medications that your veterinarian may suggest are atovaquone, diminazene aceturate or imidocarb diproprionate. Other treatment medications may include anti-inflammatory drugs and corticosteroids.
Toxoplasmosis infection is treated by antibiotics such as Clindamycin or pyrimethamine. There are immune system canine supplements that may help your dog’s healing progress.
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Recovery of Protozoal Infection in Dogs
Follow up visits will need to be scheduled to monitor the patient’s progress. It is important to follow the treatment plan, your veterinarian has given. Bloodwork, urinalysis and fecal test will need to be performed.
Giardiasis has a good prognoses in most cases. Senior dogs may have more complications. The pet’s bedding and living area must be cleaned. Diluted bleach solution will help disinfect and kill parasites. Babesiosis infections have a guarded prognosis. Dogs that survive babesiosis may suffer relapses. Dogs that have had babesiosis should never be a donor for blood transfusions. Toxoplasmosis infection has a guarded prognosis. It has a better prognosis when the infection is found early on.
Protozoal Infection Average Cost
From 525 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
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Protozoal Infection Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Labrador Retriever
Jake
2 Years
8 found this helpful
8 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargic
No Appetite
My dog goes to dog parks and "doggy daycare"...Thursday he ate his usual dog food at night with normal healthy enthusiasm, then Friday morning he would not touch any food, vomited once and was lethargic. Vet took x-ray to rule out foreign body, ran blood tests....told us he has a "gastrointestinal infection similar to yeast...probably picked up through fecal.mouth transmission...pathogenic in nature....doesn't have a name for it but he's been seeing it in more and more dogs this time of year. Gave us Metronidazole and Amoxicillin to treat. This is Sunday and he still hasn't eaten a full meal, doesn't drink much water and shows no interest in is favorite treat of peanut butter. Shouldn't the organism have a name? or diagnosis?
July 26, 2017
8 Recommendations
Dogs are prone to infections especially in areas where dogs aggregate like doggy daycare, boarding kennels or shelters; typically protozoal infections (single cell parasites) are common in these environments, genera include Giardia and Isospora. The metronidazole is effective against protozoa and bacteria and obviously antibiotics against bacteria too. A faecal sample would confirm the diagnosis and should also be done at the completion of treatment to ensure that the infection is gone. Make sure you clean up any faeces immediately to prevent reinfection. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
I have a Labrador Retriever (approx 4 month) as well and I am sure he has a protozoal infection. I am consulting a vet doc. since 3 weeks but still, my buddy is sick. They injected tic killer o.5 ml with antibiotic tablets but can't see any improvement. Today they sline glucose bottel to him. He stopped eating.Please suggest me if m going any worng direction.
April 2, 2018
Nitin S.
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Protozoal Infection Average Cost
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Average Cost
$250
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