One of the most common health problems that virtually all animals will suffer from at some point in their lives is a parasite infestation. Dogs are no different, with many ending up in a vet's clinic requiring treatment for worms. Another parasitic condition that is commonly found in dogs is giardiasis, whose presence in the animal's digestive system can provoke some quite unpleasant symptoms. In most cases, a vet will resolve a parasite infestation with strong drugs that will kill the creatures living within the dog, but this may be troublesome for some owners. Instead, they may prefer to give their dog a natural alternative to pharmaceutical products, either as a lifestyle choice or as a means of avoiding unwanted side effects. These natural remedies will typically be plants known to have anti-parasitic properties (such as black walnut) or concentrated capsules (like grapefruit seed extract).

Fortunately, some natural remedies can often be administered in the form of a simple daily food supplement, making them much easier to get the dog to take than liquid medicines. This also means that the owner can perform the treatment themselves at home without requiring veterinary assistance beyond the diagnostic stage. Although some dogs will happily eat the supplements if instructed, others may outright refuse to eat unfamiliar ingredients. Black walnut's distinctive taste can be nullified somewhat by crushing the plant into wet food before the dog eats, whilst capsules of the type that contain grapefruit seed extract can be hidden inside small pieces of meat. Although the feeding itself will not be particularly time-intensive, owners will have to maintain the treatment for a few weeks in order to destroy all of the parasites.

 

If the dog is regularly given the correct supplements, the giardia should all be killed within the space of a few weeks. However, these natural remedies may prove to be less effective than conventional medicines. Alternatives to the natural remedies are prescription anti-parasite drugs such as 'Metronidazole' or 'Fenbendazole'.

Following treatment, the dog may need a couple of weeks of reduced physical activity to regain its strength, especially if the parasites caused noticeable weight loss. Owners should also provide the animal with a probiotic to help restore the balance of the microbes in the dog's intestines, thereby preventing hostile bacteria from gaining a foothold within the body and causing further problems. It may be advisable to schedule a follow-up appointment with the vet so that they can make sure that the microorganisms have been entirely destroyed, lest the infestation re-occur.

Natural treatment methods for giardiasis are usually quite inexpensive, with most health food stores having the black walnut or a bottle of grapefruit seed extract available for just a few dollars. Medicines such as Metronidazole are also quite inexpensive.  Prescription medications will typically start to have an effect on the dog in a much shorter space of time than the natural options, and neither should be given without the advice of a veterinarian.  

As the natural remedy for resolving a case of giardiasis can be quite slow-acting when compared to the pharmaceutical alternatives available, some owners may be concerned about the potential damage that a severe infestation of the organisms could do to the dog. In such cases, it may be wiser to allow the vet to use prescription medications, before significant damage to the intestinal lining and walls can occur. 

The primary method of transmission for giardia is the ingestion of cysts excreted by infected animals. This usually occurs as a result of the dog licking or eating the feces of another animal, or drinking standing water that has been contaminated. Making sure that other household pets are kept parasite-free and keeping them away from puddles and standing water will reduce the risk of the dog (or even humans) picking up giardia.