Giardia in dogs
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Giardia — (k) a dangerous intestinal parasite?!
Table of contents:
- initiation
- What are giardia?
- Giardia — door opener for long-term drug treatment (video)
- Why do drugs do more harm than good? (video) (video2)
- The solution for diarrhea — What to do? (video) (video2)
initiation
Now that you've come to this page, you'll probably have already read some articles about giardia. As you may have noticed, the content of these is basically all written by the same pen. Sooner or later, they all boil down to treatment with drugs such as fenbendazole or even metronidazole.
(Panacur® is just the brand name of the only active ingredient in Germany that is officially approved for the treatment of Giardia infection in dogs and cats — namely the so-called fenbendazole.)
That's why it's important for me to bring you closer to a slightly different way of looking at things here. It is unavoidable that this does not conform to the usual narrative and may surprise (if not shock) you. So this is NOT going to be what you might expect about giardia.
What are giardia?
Giardia is first and foremost an intestinal parasite, diarrhoea pathogen and “nutrient predator” that can be detected in (almost) every dog intestine and can cause serious diarrhea, especially in young animals.
Nevertheless, from my experience, it is not the giardia themselves that really pose a threat to your dog!
On the other hand, the usual treatment with antibiotics such as fenbendazole or metronidazole, which is even started or justified by the diagnosis of “Giardia infection”, is much more devastating for your animal's health.
Giardia — door opener for long-term drug treatment
Due to their side effects, these chemical agents with antibacterial effects do much more harm to your dog's body than giardia probably ever could... For many unsuspecting dog owners, it is precisely with these drugs that the nightmare they actually wanted to prevent through the treatment begins!
It may sound paradoxical, but anyone who wants to do everything right as a dog owner (especially with a puppy) and unsuspectingly agrees to the usual standard therapies often starts turning around very quickly!
If you think I've gone crazy, please take a look at this interview — it's representative of hundreds of conversations of this kind that I've already had (but unfortunately not recorded) during my career as a vet for dogs.
To make it very clear once again:
After the Giardia infection has been conveniently detected using a rapid test, a veritable “treatment odyssey” begins for many owners. Your animal is damaged much more by the permanently administered chemical drugs than by the Giardia infection.
Why do drugs do more harm than good?
Now, in essence, the “chemical club” curled by veterinarians against giardia has a massive damage to the intestines as a result!
This has far-reaching and serious consequences for the body:
- The intestine is the most important organ of immune system! If this cannot develop as expected, allergies, intolerances or even (lifelong) vulnerability to infections of all kinds (due to viruses, bacteria, protozoa or parasites) can result.
- Chemicals (zer) always interfere with intestinal flora, i.e. the microbial balance in the intestines, which is essential for the animal's survival for many reasons! (The completely underestimated importance of microorganisms in the intestine can be seen simply from the fact that their number exceeds the number of the body's own cells by approximately 10 times. This means: 10x more microorganisms live in your dog's healthy intestines than your dog has its own cells!)
- The intestines and the brain are in intensive (nervous) exchange — this is known as the so-called gut-brain axis. The vagus nerve has a decisive (parasympathetic) influence on the brain — it has a calming and relaxing effect. If this mechanism is impaired by intestinal damage, the result may be an anxious, nervous, trembling nerve bundle from a dog that does not hear, cannot concentrate, constantly runs away and/or constantly eats faeces because of me. ADHD for dogs, if you will.
- From the digestiveWe haven't even talked yet — a damaged intestine can no longer completely break down the food and cannot absorb the nutrients. Some nutrients that are vital for dogs are produced in the first place by the natural intestinal bacteria mentioned under 2! Nutrient deficiencies are therefore the foreseeable result.
- Intestine and skinare closely connected and have the same origin or origin from an embryological point of view. In particular, dogs that have been treated with medication (for giardia) over long periods of time usually also have skin problems such as itching, hair loss/ dull coat, hot spots and/or ear infections.
Here are my articles on itching, diarrhea and ear infections as well as an explanation of embryological connection of intestine and skin Highly recommended in the following video.
All these listed relationships are the basis for chronic (intestinal) problems of all kinds, which sometimes concern dogs and owners for months (if not years) and later show themselves in the form of many different symptoms. As a rule, these are no longer associated with the causal antibiotic treatment by the holder due to the time and location separation.
As a result of this scenario, young animals are already being transformed into long-term patients who later have to deal with severe to insatiable diarrhea, cannot tolerate their food, suffer from ear or anal gland infections and/or develop skin problems.
Since the liver and pancreas flow directly into the intestine as so-called “intestinal appendages”, a connection with the initial damage to the intestine (due to antibiotics) is also obvious when it comes to diseases of these two organs.
Everything is, as I said, a self-made course of illness, as described to me again and again by owners.
The example of giardia clearly shows that the measures of modern veterinary medicine play a decisive role in the development, promotion or aggravation of problems that are later far from limited to the intestine.
In this video, I explained that antibiotics are also responsible for symptoms such as sluggishness, lack of energy and general weakness in addition to skin and intestinal problems:
The solution for diarrhea — What to do?
Based on the relationships described, the necessary measures to combat Giardia infections are both comprehensive and logical.
For a better understanding, please watch the following video — this explains the function of the intestine as a gateway to the body. All necessary countermeasures are derived from this.
They are at the forefront of avoiding all foreign chemical substances — in addition to antibiotics, all medications, spot-ons, vaccinations, worm tablets and even tick collars come into question.
Of course, the diet must also be changed — everything that comes out of a bag or a can, consists of up to 2/3 carbohydrates and PremiumDeluxeHypoSuper special food grumbles about is only used by the manufacturer and the vet who sells it. But not you and certainly not your dog.
Furthermore, the intestines and intestinal flora must be carefully built up and strengthened — this means diet change, bowel cleansing & environmental optimization. In parallel, the lack of nutrients must be addressed. Since, as already described, the intestine also has a detoxifying function for the body, any reduction in the poisoning (or pollutant load) of the body will always benefit the intestines in particular. Diarrhea, as the cardinal symptom of the intestine, disappears as the intestine heals. However, this process requires patience and time. Since giardia, just like all other pathogens, would naturally be kept in check by the intestinal flora and the immune system, the simultaneous development of the body's immune system is also essential.
If the spread of pathogens such as giardia is naturally contained or kept in check by healthy, intact intestinal flora and an intact immune system in the intestine, the diarrhea will ultimately disappear by itself together with all other side effects. The prognosis of Giardia infections (even though they have already assumed a chronic nature) can still be described as good due to the intensive cell division and extraordinary ability of intestinal cells to regenerate, even in very advanced cases of disease. If the owner consistently implements all of the above points holistically, healing processes such as this are the logical consequence.
Anyone who would also like to embark on a holistic and chemical-free journey as a dog owner is welcome to book an appointment with me and my team.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Question 4, all acute complaints and pain conditions are listed where direct physical intervention on your dog's body by a local veterinarian is really necessary.
For all other symptoms not listed there (especially if they have taken a chronic course), intervention on-site does not provide sustainable healing!
Symptoms are merely suppressed or diseases "managed," and what is always missing is the clarification of disease causes – and this clarification is very well possible online, i.e., remotely.
Through detailed anamnesis, the individual step-by-step plan, and long-term collaboration, we can demonstrably help you and your dog better than if we physically touched them! We obtain all necessary information through pictures/videos and interviews.
Since we work exclusively online, you can reach us from anywhere and receive daily answers to your questions.
Moreover, your dog is not subjected to the considerable stress associated with visiting a veterinary practice every time.
Nutrition is one building block in the regeneration process, but not the only or most important one. In our coaching, we have defined 6 central points that are indispensable for dog health based on experience. Therefore, it takes much more than just nutrition.
Just as a plant doesn't grow faster or a child doesn't grow up faster just because a person wants it to, your dog's healing also requires time and patience.
Depending on the symptoms, chronicity, previous medication, age of the dog, and also the cooperation or implementation by the owner, physical regeneration of your dog usually takes between 3-6 months, sometimes longer in severe cases.
Ultimately, many other factors play a role in regeneration. We always adhere to the iron principle: "The pace is set by your dog."
Definitely. Before the body shows symptoms, there is a long period during which your dog's organism tries to heal itself within its capabilities. Only when this is no longer possible and the regulatory or regeneration processes in the body are overloaded do symptoms occur.
Therefore, your dog shouldn't wait to show visible signs before you take action. The idea of prophylaxis is a central building block of our work to spare your dog (and you) a lot of suffering.
Even if your partner is skeptical, there's initially nothing standing in the way of collaboration, with one exception: He/she must not be categorically against it!
We humans often have a different opinion than our fellow humans and also often than our partner. Both opinions are equally valid.
Recognizing that both can be right means a whole new possibility and creates new space for you in your partnership!
A certain skepticism is indeed healthy, and we can discuss any concerns and fears. We always recommend asking the partner for trust! This gives them the opportunity to get their own picture of the collaboration. If one of the two is really categorically against it, we refrain from collaboration.
We don't want to convince anyone because this conflict is not a good companion for healing. The healing process always requires a joint initiative and harmonious cooperation. This can look very different, and we discuss how exactly in the joint conversation.
For the following acute problems, medical first aid by a local veterinarian is indispensable: Accidents, bone fractures, bite wounds & injuries, gastric torsions, poisonings, foreign body removal, and tumors/cancer. Here we can support you in the aftermath.
Neutering and vaccinations (which we advise against) are, of course, also a case for the local veterinarian.
In principle, yes. Most of our participants come from the D-A-CH region. Participation from Luxembourg and Liechtenstein is also unproblematic.
Due to the different local conditions and circumstances in other countries, there may be implementation difficulties in the program, as certain aids may be difficult to obtain.
If full implementation of the program is not possible due to the local conditions at the applicant's place of residence, we refrain from collaboration under the principle of an honorable merchant.
We DON'T have a local practice, and you don't have to go anywhere with your dog to work with us! The greatest advantage of this 100% online activity is explained under Question 1. This way, you can take care of your dog's health regularly from anywhere. The concept of a local practice is completely revolutionized.
With our many years of experience with now over 1000 dogs, we can assure you that (except in the cases specified in Question 4) NO physical contact with your dog is necessary for us to support you.
