Please help - Giardia: how do we prevent reinfection?

[claychick]

Hi everyone,

Our dragon, Aztec, was just diagnosed with Giardia based on a fecal sample. He just came out of brumation and has been active and hungry. He doesn't have diarrhea or any symptoms. The vet said he looks fantastic.

Where would he have gotten this? I know it can come from fecal matter and/or water. Is it likely from his habitat or his worms? We've had the same worms for a while, and he's fed off of them previously without being sick.

We're going to give the prescribed medicines and thoroughly clean and steam clean his viv. Do we get rid of the worms and start over? It's frustrating because we have a lot of worms ready for him!

He's had no contact with anything else. Our iguana is in a separate enclosure and tested negative so he isn't the source.

Thanks.

 

[pscaulkins]

It could have come from the greens. If you buy organic, they grow them in manure which is a breeding ground for Giardia and Trichamona's (sp?). I scrub my greens unless they come from my garden. Pinworms are another issue that greens can get contaminated with. This info came from my vet.

Cleaning the home is important to, which I see you have done. I think I would start with fresh worms though just as a precaution.

The med's for this is very dehydrating so giving your beardie a daily soak will help with that. Also, probiotics should be given as the meds kill their gut flora.