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Giardia

Giardia is a parasite found in both drinking and recreational water and lives in the intestinal tract of numerous infected species, which could be people, birds and other animals. Although Giardia can infect any species of bird, it is most often found in cockatiels, lovebirds, budgies, and Grey-cheeked parakeets.

Giardia can survive for a substantial amount of time in the environment, so infection can occur simply by placing a bird in a contaminated environment (cage, aviary, etc.).

Giardia in birds is usually asymptomatic or causes relatively mild symptoms. Once an animal or person has been infected, 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 has become recognized as one of the most common causes of waterborne disease in the United States.

Physical Symptoms:

It can cause a variety of physical problems, including feather plucking; acute, chronic or recurrent diarrhea (a bad odor and lots of mucus may occur with the diarrhea); depression, lethargy, anorexia and weight loss, and even death, if untreated. The parasite is believed to interfere with absorption of nutrients and fat metabolism. Skin may become very dry and itchy, and has caused birds to pick out their feathers. The common giardia picking pattern usually involves the chest, underside of the wings, insides of the thighs, shoulders and sometimes the lower back region. Asymptomatic carriers may exist, and serve as sources of infection for other birds.

In humans it 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. However, some people or animals have no symptoms at all. Giardiosis is thought to have zoonotic potential (transmissable to humans).

Testing:

Diagnosis of Giardia can be difficult. It may be necessary to examine multiple fresh fecal smears to find the motile trophozoites. Infected birds may only shed trophozoites and cysts intermittently, rather than continuously.

Treatment:

• Antiprotozoal medications, such as Ronidazole, Flagyl, Ipronidazole, Metronidozole, are used to treat Giardiosis. Dimetridazole (Emtryl) is also said to be effective. Breeders are administering it by mixing it with their hand feeding formula and using a crop needle every twelve hours for five days.



• To prevent re-infection switch a bird to a water bottle instead of water bowl, which can be contaminated with droppings, resultng in reinfection and high levels of bacterial

Prevention:

Provide clean, dry, uncontaminated food and bedding. Avoid overcrowding. Water should be uncontaminated. Chlorine does not always kill Giardia. Unfortunately, relapses are common, either as a result of failure to destroy all of the parasites in the bird or as a result of a new infection.

• Below are products that purify water and / or test, treat Giardia infections or vaccinate against it. Please discuss doses and safety for your birds. Better than treatment is prevention. Consider purifying your drinking water on a daily basis with a good water filtration system.
  
  
• Many disease-causing organisms / toxins are transmitted via air and water. If you suspect a disease problem (or if you would like to prevent one), please investigate the possibility of filtering your air and purifying / treating your birds' drinking water.

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Relevant Products (please check with your avian vet the safety for birds)

Potable Aqua Water Purification Iodine Tablets (50 Tablets) Ready to use in just 30 minutes Makes 25 quarts. Two tablets treat a quart of water Proven effective against Giardia Lamblia when used as directed Ideal for camping or travel Product Description Potable Aqua Tablets are intended for emergency disinfection of drinking water. When used as directed, they make most water bacteriologically suitable for drinking.
KlearWater Active Chlorine Dioxide Water Treatment (32mL) Product Feature Purifies in as little as 15 minutes Ready-to-use: No mixing, no waiting for chemical reaction. 1 ml measuring spoon for easy dosing. Proven effective against bacteria, virus and protozoan including Giardia and Cryptosporidium Convenient 32 milliliter (1oz.) bottle, enough to treat 30 liters (30 quarts) of water Self-indicating: KlearWater is yellow when active, becomes clear when inactive KlearWater contains only pure, active Chlorine Dioxide suspended in de-ionized water. This active formula allows it to work quickly to eliminate bacteria and viruses. KlearWater does not require messy mixing of chemicals or waiting for tablets to dissolve as with other Chlorine Dioxide products. It is fast acting, lightweight, multi-use, economical, and doesnt add unpleasant taste or smell to water. Because of its compact size and light weight, KlearWater is perfect for adventure racers, hikers, campers, travelers, hunters, and boaters. Packaged in a leak-resistant, reusable plastic container. Versatile: Effective through a broad range of temperature and pH. Durable: Lasts for months after opening. Multi-Use: May be used as a hand and surface cleaner, oral rinse, and emergency wound irrigant. Safe: No harmful chlorite residue.. Proven: Over 10 years of proven performance worldwide.
Giardia & Parasitic D'tox for pets Product Description Azmiras Giardia & Parasitic DTox is strong acting upon a wide range of worms, amoebas and parasites. It can be used safely to clean out the colon, even with IBS, when parasites are suspected as trigger. Ingredients Giardia & Parasitic DTox contains Fresh Wormwood, Quassia Bark, Fresh Black Walnut Hulls, Neem Leaves, Bilva Herb, Embelia Ribes, Eclipta Alba, Phullanthus Amarus, Gentian Root and Fresh Ginger Root
Giardia Vax Vaccine - 25 Dose Package Product Description For the vaccination of healthy dogs against Giardia infection. Studies show that Giardi is prevalent in approximately 7% of all dogs. Giardia infected pets can infect other pets and people. Giardia Vax has been demonstrated to keep healthy dogs healthy and reduce environmental contamination. Proven one year protection. Directions: Initial two dose series (2 to 4 weeks apart) followed by an annual booster. Vaccinate puppies at eight weeks or older. (This product is made specifically for dogs. Discuss with your avian vet safety for birds - do not administer BEFORE doing so)
SNAP Giardia Test Kit 15ct Product Features The easy-to-use 8 minute Giardia test is highly accurate. Only one sample is required. Kit includes a unique fecal swab for hands-off sampling. Use for dogs or cats.
Giardia and Giardiasis: Biology, Pathogenesis, and Epidemiology (Hardcover) Medical Text Book
21st Century Complete Medical Guide to Giardia Infection, Giardiasis, Parasites and Parasitic Disease, Authoritative Government Documents, Clinical References, ... for Patients and Physicians (CD-ROM) (CD-ROM)

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Natural Antibiotics / Herbal Anti-inflammatories - Strengthening Your Immunesystem Naturally ... General Avian Health References

Information contained on this website is provided as general reference only. For application to specific circumstances, professional advice should be sought.

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