GIARDIS VACCINE

[high ridge joe]

HAS ANYONE USED THIS OR HAVE ANYTHING POSITIVE TO SAY ABOUT IT?
THANKS

JOE T

[TnHoss]

I think Safeguard prevents giardis but don't quote me on it.

[Chuck Terry]

I gave it to all my beagles a couple of years ago because their are beavers in the pond behind my kennel and everytime one get loose he heads straight to the pond for a drink. None of the ones that have had the shot have had symptoms but I am can say for sure that it is because they had the shot. I guess I need to give another round before long.

[Windkist]

HAS ANYONE USED THIS OR HAVE ANYTHING POSITIVE TO SAY ABOUT IT?
THANKS

JOE T

Giardia is easy to treat. The vaccine is fairly new and its MHO that the less we vaccinate the better off we are. Of course we do need to use the puppy vaccines but, adding lymes,giardia,corona is not necessary at least for my dogs.

Leah

[high ridge joe]

I will explain the reason behind my question..
I have a male that had a rough bout with Giardia...he had to be treated 2 times with Metronidazole...He now is having bouts with soft stools....the runs..ect...
He is free and clear of all worms and parasites...has been on prednisone ( for treatment of a corrigated/hard, thick colon ) and Docycycline....He took those meds the first time and seemed to be on the mend...Stool showed formity and improved....2 weeks later we are back on the same program...soft stools and the meds again...Vet seems to think he has an Irritated Bowl due to the Giardia.....
We have been discussing the Giardia vaccine...but the vaccine will not prevent hounds contracting Giardia in the future...the vaccine just helps reduce the shedding of the Giardia Cysts in an animal that comes in contact and contracts the Parasite....

The male is in fine shape otherwise....I have been trying to adjust his diet to help him digets foods better and improve his stool quality...If he has soft stools...I dont think could be feeling very well...I mean..would we?



Thanks for any and all advice about the vaccine...

Joe T

[Windkist]

Joe,

I don't recommend it for routine vaccination but, in your dogs case it may very well be the way to go. Metronidazole (sulfa drugs) can be hard on the gut so, maybe it would help? Do your other dogs have problems with Giardia as well?

Leah

[high ridge joe]

Leah,
First off..let me say thanks for your replies..This male is the only one that had it..I had actually bought him...and i noticed symptoms a few weeks later....
He has 2 wins in spo and I am hoping to finish him...
As for the vaccines....the vet doesnt carry them and has to order a full tray of 25 doses...They are given in a series of 2 shots..but I would have to buy the full set of 25 doses...
I am still trying to decide which way to go....

Thanks

Joe T

[Windkist]

Here is a great site that really goes into detail on the problem of giardia. http://www.beaglesunlimited.com/beagleh ... diasis.htm If you really want to do the shot I would call around and find a vet that carries it. You shouldn't have to buy a 25 dose tray. Even if you do it might not work. You might try the fenbendazole treatment along with a good 7 day does of amoxicillian in case there is some sort of bacterial infection.

Leah

[high ridge joe]

He is on Doxycycline right now in case of an infection is still present...and he is also back on Prednisone also...That regimen worked for a little bit...hoping it might work better this time...but this will probably be the last round of prednisone..the vet doesnt like to use steroids for too long on him.

Thanks

Joe t

[Bunny Runner]

Have you considered changing his diet to an "allergy" formula?

He may have IBS/Colitis or a food sensitivity that could have been "triggered" by the Giardiasis.

I remember you said you were adjusting his diet, but didn't elaborate on how.

I would recommend (IMO) that you try taking him off his regular feed and start with a homecooked recipe of Hamberger/rice to see if his stools firm up. If they do, start introducing a new kibble made with one of the unique proteins (ie:fish, venison, duck etc) and one carb source (oatmeal, sweet potato, potato, etc) and see if this doesn't help.
Just keep in mind when you are adjusting the diet in this way, the protein and carb sources need to be UNIQUE, which means, one this dog has never had before.

Good luck with your hound and hopefully you can get this under control.

PS: I would not get the vaccine. Our dogs get way to many vaccines as it is and this is just another way to increase our dogs inability to NOT fight off things on their own (with their own immune system). An appropriate diet and proper nutrition is the best way to improve your dogs immune system and a healthy dog. All dogs are not created equal and some need special consideration when it comes to diet.

[high ridge joe]

I have given him beef burger and rice in the past..But i also had to add a vitamin to it..i also mixed it up with turkey burger and rice and some chicken ( skinless white meats )...
Today I started him on the transition to Beneful by Purina....
Will see how it goes....He still has stamina to run up to 4 hours and then some so I am happy to see he is getting some nutrition from his feeds despite his problems.

Thanks
Joe T