Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Giardia infection rates and risks in US pet dogs 2003-2009
By Mohamed, Ahmed S et al.·Published in Veterinary parasitology·2013·Department of Comparative Pathobiology, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence and risk factors for Giardia spp. infection in a large national sample of pet dogs visiting veterinary hospitals in the United States (2003-2009).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A large study of pet dogs in the U.S. found that about 0.44% of them had an intestinal infection caused by Giardia, a parasite that can lead to diarrhea and other digestive issues. The infection was more common in puppies under six months old and in certain areas, particularly Colorado. Interestingly, intact (not spayed or neutered) dogs had a higher risk of infection compared to those that were spayed or neutered. Over the years, the number of infections decreased, with fewer cases reported by 2009. If you suspect your dog might have Giardia, your vet can perform a fecal test to check for it and discuss treatment options.
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Abstract
Estimates of the prevalence of intestinal infection of dogs with Giardia spp. in the United States vary widely. Risk factors for infection in a large sample of dogs over an extended period of time have not been well characterized. A national, electronic database of medical records was used to estimate the prevalence and identify risk factors for Giardia spp. infection among dogs visiting Banfield Pet Hospital™ located in 43 states in the United States. The overall prevalence of Giardia spp. Infection was 0.44% (95% CI: 0.43-0.45%) in approximately 2.5 million owned dogs who had a fecal flotation test performed from January 2003 to December 2009. A steady decrease in annual prevalence was observed, from a high of 0.61% in 2003 to 0.27% in 2009. Seasonal increases in prevalence were noted during the winter and summer months. Giardia spp. prevalence was highest in the Mountain region, especially Colorado (2.63%; 95% CI: 2.53-2.73%), and in puppies ≤0.5 year of age (0.63%; 95% CI: 0.61-0.64%). It was lowest for dogs of mixed breeding compared with pure breeds. Infection risk was 25-30% greater in sexually intact dogs compared to spayed and neutered dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23337331/