Although giardia infections are not usually accompanied by clinical signs, in many cases giardiosis causes enteritis with acute or chronic diarrhoea and occasionally vomiting, lethargy, anorexia, weight loss and allergic reactions.
A combination product containing 50 mg of praziquantel, 144 mg of pyrantel embonate and 150 mg of febantel (Drontal Plus;Bayer) has been registered in Europe for use in dogs to treat Toxacara canis, Toxascaris leonina, Ancylostoma caninum, Uncinaria stenocephala, Trichuris vulpis, Taenia pisiformis, Echinococcus granulosus, Echinococcus multilocularis and Dipiylidium caninum but not Giardia. The purpose of this study was to determine its therapeutic efficacy against Giardia species in naturally infected adult dogs under field conditions.
The tablets were either given orally only once at double the current dose or for two or three consecutive days at the labelled dose. They were effective against Giardia cysts and can, thus, be used for treatment of giardiosis in dogs.
As giardiosis may be considered one of the main digestive parasitic diseases in dogs and in consideration of its zoonotic potential, veterinarians now have a safe and effective alternative way to treat it, although health measures such as disinfectants and washing should never be neglected, particularly in kennels.
Source: A. Giangaspero, G. Traldi, B. Paoletti, D. Traversa, P. Bianciardi (2002): Efficacy of pyrantel embonate, febantel and praziquantel against Giardia species in naturally infected adult dogs- Short Communications. In: Vet Rec, Feb 9, 2002 150, 184-186
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