Smartie's and Sweety's kittens

Giardia

Smartie's and Sweety's kittens have recently been diagnosed with Giardia. They had been poorly for a while and a poo sample confirmed this. They are currently isolated from the rest of the cattery and were are barrier cleaning their pens. This means we are changing protective clothing in between pens and thoroughly cleaning each pen before we move onto the next. Giardia is zoonotic which means it can be passed onto people so we are having to be extra vigilant. We are hoping the the kittens will start to feel better soon. They have been re-wormed and are having tribrissen injections daily which treats bacterial infections.
 
What is Giardiasis?

Giardia lamblia is a protozoan (single celled organism) parasite which is found in the small intestine of vertebrates including mammals. Infection with Giardia lamblia causes giardiasis.

Giardia causes severe diarrhoea, dehydration and stomach cramps.

How do cats become infected with Giardia?

The most likely transmission in cats is direct animal to animal (faecal-oral route). Cats can also become infected by drinking water containing the infective cysts. Once inside the intestine the cyst opens releasing two trophozoites.

There are two stages to the life cycle. Trophozoites are the active motile (swimming) form and it is in this stage that lives in the intestines feeding and reproducing. The trophozoites have flagella, which are long hair like structures which enables toe protozoa to move around. During the feeding stage, the parasite replicates in the small intestine by binary fission, this is the asexual reproductive process where one cell divides into two cells.

The trophozoites move towards the colon where they produce a cyst wall. The trophozoite within the cyst divides once, and this mature cyst now contains two trophozoites. This cyst is carried away by the passing faecal stream and leaves the body. These cysts are extremely hardy and can survive for long periods in water.

What are the symptoms of Giardia in cats?

The parasite has a one to two week incubation period. Most cats are asymptomatic, although they may keep passing on cysts for months or years. Clinical signs are most likely to be seen in younger animals from multi-cat households/environments.

If large numbers of trophozoites develop the cat will develop symptoms which include;

• Foul smelling stools, often yellowish, foamy/frothy.
• Vomiting
• Weight loss   
•  Flatulence
• Abdominal distension