Bess's Tummy Troubles
Bess is a lovely black rescue dog rehomed from Many Tears Rescue by Mrs Garrigan
Bess's new owner was concerned that her recently rehomed pet, Bess - a really sweet-natured cross-breed puppy had developed intermittent diarrhoea. Bess was brought in to see us at Summerview.
Bess had not had the best start in life and was rehomed from Many Tears Rescue. She had a poor coat, was thin, very hungry and had suffered with diarrhoea on and off since Mrs Garrigan had adopted her.
Suspecting a parasite problem, Bess was prescribed a course of fenbendazole (Panacur) and symptomatic treatment to support her digestive system. Initially the response was good and Bess started to gain weight, but the diarrhoea returned and her coat remained poor.
A faeces sample was sent to a veterinary laboratory which found Giardia cysts to be present, identifying this parasite to be the underlying cause of Bess's diarrhoea.
Two courses of a specific antibiotic were required to finally get the infection under control and Bess on the road to recovery.
Giardia is a protozoan parasite that can cause mild to severe diarrhoea, often 'cowpat' consistency. Animals become infected by ingesting the cysts which are very resistant in the environment. Some infected animals, like Bess, will experience weight loss. Diarrhoea is often intermittent and repeat faeces samples are sometimes needed to find the organism, in order to prove it as the cause of diarrhoea. No drug is 100% effective in eliminating the infection and the problem can become persistent if animals are immune deficient or re-exposed to the infective cysts from the environment.
We are delighted to report that Bess has made an excellent recovery and has had no further episodes of diarrhoea, her coat is now gleaming and she is thriving.
Bess is now a happy little dog settling into life with her new owners.
