Giardiasis, a/k/a intestinal parasites

[packfan74]

Hey guys - this is a follow up.

My 7 month old (Henry) was hardly eating for approximately 4 days. The advise from the forum (see Diet, topic "Diet) was to change & up the UVB and/or do a fecal. Of course I did both. Gave the new UVB a day to perk him up, when it didn't, we headed for the vet (some 35 miles away & $125 dollars poorer!). Fecal came back Giardiasis. He's now on meds for 7 days (we're on day 4)......needles to say, it quite interested trying to giving a beardie oral medication, especially since they don't do "say ahhh" well...lol

My question is, he really hasn't changed his eating habits over the last 3 days while on the meds. Only taking 3-4 superworms a day now. No veggies or crix in 7-10 days. What do ya think - normal or not? Approx. how long should it take to get him back on track? Is Giardiasis realistically easy to overcome?

GOOD NEWS: Henry was a bit more active yesterday (day 3 on meds). Finally pooped after 2 days!......U can thank God for no smell-a-blog!

BAD NEWS: He's lost weight (tail not as fat) and seems a bit dehydrated despite daily 15-20 minute soaks.

ANY ADVISE?

 

[ladyknite]

his behavior is normal.
You might consider probiotic such as benebac or acidophilus. I prefer benebac, it's more paletable.

You'll also want to offer him additional hydration. Giardia is a dehydrating illness, not to mention the irradication of it being dehydrating also.

Keep an eye on his weight, and start a probiotic as soon as possible and he'll be fine.

good job on the vet!

 

[packfan74]

okay...and the laymens terms for probiotic and acidophilus would be....

 

[ladyknite]

those are laymens terms.
you'll find benebac at Petco or Petsmart in the bird, rodent or mammal section in small tubes. it's for healthy intestinal and gut bacteria

 

[staylor]

Piggy had Giardia and recovered great from it. Last resort on treating the dehydration is force a few drops of water with the medicine syringe. Not a lot of water just a tiny bit since they normally do not require much water.

 

[packfan74]

How long did it take until Piggy got back on track?

 

[staylor]

It took her about a month to be all better but about 2-3 weeks for her poop to not stink.

 

[li]

Probiotic would also be my suggestion. Antibiotics take away all of the good bacteria along with the bad. The probiotic helps replace and get the digestion moving along again. Soaking daily is also a good idea...antibiotics can also cause constipation.

 

[packfan74]

Thanks for all the good advice!

Had never heard of probotics before (1st time parent and all) but I'll give it a try.....my vet explained it was like yogurt for dragons (personally, I hate the stuff; never touch it but) - makes sense; I get it now.

Thanks again

 

[Craiger]

.....my vet explained it was like yogurt for dragons (personally, I hate the stuff; never touch it but) - makes sense; I get it now.

I was JUST going to say that....it's like yogurt.