[k8c]

Do you think it's possible for a cat to get ghirardia? My US-born kitty is ill--with classic signs of ghirardia (you all know what that means). My Russian vet didn't even listen. (Actually, was not MY vet but another vet in the practice. No one can tell me where the vet I like is or when she'll be back...)

Having to subject a cat to vet care here really makes me think that another year in Russia post-adoption is probably not a good idea... I shudder to think what the pediatric care is like! And, even if it's excellent, having to second guess everything is exhausting.

kate

[Pinkie]

Kate, I have no idea but good luck and I hope kitty gets well soon.

[LilyMoon]

I recently got a puppy and she was diagnosed with Giardia, so it is definitely possible for a pet to get this. It was easy to treat with medicine for just 5 days.

[Ebadge90]

Animals can absolutley get giardia.

[pequele]

I had a cat who exhibited "signs" of ghirardia. After testing he came back hyperthyroid, FIV and fatty liver syndrome...so get him to the vet and have him tested! Or at leat bring them in a fecal.

Are you giving him bottled water? Am I understanding you right, you are in Russia now with the kitty?

Steph

[k8c]

Lily--what did you treat with? She's on a bizarre concoction of an antibiotic (makes sense...but I have to INJECT it twice daily...) and an iv of vitamin B12, meds that seem to be for heart condidtions, others I cannot translate. I'm putting a stop to the iv treatments tomorrow. (Lugging my 16 pound cat to the vet daily--it's about a mile--for a treatment she LOATHES that makes no sense needs to stop...)

The vet, who treats the animals at the St. P circus, scoffed at my proffered stool sample and made rude jokes to the rest of the staff.

Yes, cat only drinks bottled water (as do I). And, yes, she lives in Russia (as do I).

Thanks for the help! Now to convince a vet...

[kelceesmom]

I work for a vet and yes they can get ghiardia.

[sak9645]

My dog has had Giardia several times -- she picks up parasites easily. So my guess is that cats also can get Giardia.

Dogs often get Giardia when drinking out of common dog bowls at the dog park, or when drinking out of rainwater puddles. If your cat is outside a lot, I suspect that she has been drinking out of puddles.

Sharon

[k8c]

Thanks for all the input!! I feel very helpless in this situation. Although I am going to the apteka now to get what I need to remove the catheter (sp?) and continue the antibiotic injections.

Kelceesmom, what do you use to treat it? I'm giving her cefotaxime injections twice a day. (I don't like giving the injections...) If there is something better, I might be able to find it at the apteka or have it shipped from the US.

sak, She's an indoor cat. But, I was gone for two weeks and the toilet seats were reportedly up for a while. The water here in St. P is not safe for people, so that's my likely culprit.

Interesting that Russian kitty is still fine...

[Sipper]

When we adopted our lab he had it. We had a terrible time getting him well. He was on all sorts of medication for a couple of months. They can get well but that is a really nasty bug!

[k8c]

Can anyone tell me what they used to treat it? As you know, most drugs are not Rx here and can be easily purchased at the aptekas.

I just bought cefotaxime powder, novacaine to mix it with (that's what they told me...and even wrote it down...), syringes, " little green" antiseptic, bandanges and syringes. I removed the catheter and have been mixing and injecting the cefotaxime...

I'm not sure it's working and would like other options. I've gotten better advice here than I have on a reccomended pet vet site!! Thanks all.

Kate

[kelceesmom]

Ok, I have never heard of using catheters. We use a drug called Panacur. You usually sprinkle it on the food for several days and then recheck a fecal after that. Good luck.

[sak9645]

My dog was given Flagyl (metronidazole). That's also given to people. I don't remember the dose for my 40 lb. Airedale.

Sharon

[k8c]

Thanks, kelceesmom & sak!

I'm probably using wrong terminology. They stuck a thing in her vein that let them do an iv drip daily. That's what I'm calling the catheter. What is it really?

At any rate--that's the thing I took out.

I've heard about Flagyl for people and wondered if it could be given to a cat. I haven't heard of Panacur, but my cat would *much* rather eat than get stuck.

The vet won't check a stool sample, so I'll just have to go by a layman's observation.

Sheesh--who knew?

[kelceesmom]

Flagyl is generally used for diarrhea which comes with giardia. But, you also need to treat the giardia with medication which is why we use Panacur. Were they treating her for dehydration also? Not sure why they would put a cath unless she was dehydrated? The only to make sure it is truely giardia is by checking a fecal. Good luck though, I'm sure it is rough being in a foreign country trying to treat.