Symptoms & Treatment of Feline Coccidiosis: Essential G

Giardia, like tapeworms and roundworms, is a type of intestinal parasite. However, what sets it apart is its minute size and solitary cellular structure, so small that it is invisible to the naked eye. This parasite poses a significant threat primarily to kittens, leading to severe diarrhea, blood in the stool, dehydration, impaired nutrient absorption, low blood sugar levels, and severe neurological symptoms. These symptoms include the cat's head tilting back, the tail arching upwards, and the spine bending into an arch, a condition veterinarians refer to as opisthotonos. These symptoms can severely hinder growth and development, and in extreme cases, can be fatal. For adult cats, the risk is relatively low, and most can fight off the infection and recover with time.

Giardia primarily affects kittens under six months of age. The typical symptoms include severe diarrhea, slightly elevated body temperature, and a lack of appetite and energy. Diagnosis is usually made through a fecal examination.

The treatment of choice is the medication Xylazine for Giardia. For adult cats, the recommended dose is one tablet daily for seven consecutive days. For kittens, half a tablet daily for the same duration. For prophylactic purposes, the same dosage can be administered for seven days.

When a kitten exhibits diarrhea, the first step should be to conduct a fecal test to rule out the possibility of parasitic infection. If a single Giardia cyst is detected, it is crucial to initiate deworming treatment. This is because Giardia can multiply rapidly, and once it reaches a certain threshold, it can simultaneously attack the intestinal mucosa with immense destructive power.