Synonyms

No known synonym

Name of the disease in English

Giardiasis or lambliasis

The disease in brief

Giardia intestinalis is a flagellated protozoan that is relatively common in the digestive tract of pre-ruminant calves; it most often remains asymptomatic or subclinical. It can cause pasty diarrhea in infected young animals. Many animals may carry Giardia. Giardia intestinalis is a complex of genotypes of variable specificity; some calf genotypes are transmissible to humans by direct transmission or water contamination. Contamination of calves occurs orally, especially in damp and crowded premises.

Clinic & diagnosis

The disease is suspected when there is intermittent or sticky-mucous diarrhea, or chronic diarrhea with:

-A coccidiostatic treatment which did not produce any results

-or weight loss in calves aged 1 to 6 months.

Typical sign of the disease

No description

Pictures

See below

Diagnostic formulas

No description

Differential diagnosis

-Coccidiosis PA20.4

- calf diarrhea with cryptosporidia VX12

-calf diarrhea due to salmonella VX13

Confirm a suspicion?

A stool sample can be used to detect cysts. GiardiaDirect observation of flagellates in feces is not a reliable method, various flagellated protozoa are normal constituents of the ruminal flora.

Prognosis and treatment

The prognosis is generally favorable. Treatment with Fenbendazole (10-20 mg/kg/day) for 3 days gives good results.

Prevention

Prevention is similar to that of coccidiosis: if infestation cannot be completely avoided, it is necessary to favor a progressive infestation which will build immunity:
-Control colostral intake of calves, as planned for neonatal diseases.
-Keep young calves in a clean, dry (well ventilated) environment, separate from adults when possible. When this is not possible, avoid mixing young calves (<15 days) with older calves.
-Control other parasites: Coccidia, cryptosporidia, Ascaris, Strongyloides,

References

-Veterinary Medicine-Pocket companion -9th Edition BLOOD DC-page 466