a dog was diagnosed with giardia, after 3 days of treatment came back w/ muscle tremors & is ataxic. why/how is giardia causeing these new clinical symptomes?
2007-01-21 14:47:53 · 5 answers · asked by sailordragon87 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Giardiasis (or Beaver Fever) is a diarrheal illness caused by a one-celled, microscopic parasite, Giardia intestinalis (also known as Giardia lamblia). Once an animal or person has been infected with Giardia intestinalis, the parasite lives in the intestine and is passed in the stool. Because the parasite is protected by an outer shell, it can survive outside the body and in the environment for long periods of time.
Giardia infection can cause a variety of intestinal symptoms, which include: Diarrhea, Gas or flatulence, Greasy stools that tend to float, Stomach cramps, Upset stomach or nausea.
These symptoms may lead to weight loss and dehydration.
Muscle Tremors can be caused by dehydration caused by the giardia.
2007-01-21 14:57:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Giardiasis is caracterized by enteritis and colitis, and does not sepcificcally causes neural disorders, is not described in literature, at least. One of the drugs to treat giardiasis is an antibiotic called metronidazole, an intermediate spectrum antibiotic that is excellent for anaerobic bacteria, and works really good over Giardiae(although they are a protozoos). Side effects could be neurological disorders( tremors, seizures, etc.), among others. These side efects are not common, but are reported in literature. Some pacients are more succeptible( i.e.: epileptic), but others with no records of siezures in the past can get them with high dossages( more than 30 mg/kg). Check it with your vet, because this might be the answer.
2007-01-21 16:23:36 · answer #2 · answered by ignacio a 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
metronidazole is commonly given to treat giardia in dogs. The symptoms you described are infact a possible reaction of metronidazole. Could that be it?
2007-01-21 15:23:10 · answer #3 · answered by Dani 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only thing that has changed is the treatment, what type of treatments? I am willing to bet the treatments are causing the new symptoms
2007-01-21 14:59:29 · answer #4 · answered by Jont 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the new sysptems may not be from giardia may be from the treatment of it..
2007-01-21 14:59:22 · answer #5 · answered by willowbluecrow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋