Giardia

Giardia is a very tiny parasite that can infect dogs. Giardia is found in nature; in grass, on trees, in dirt, and in and on animals. Oftentimes, your puppy may develop Giardia after you bring them home. 

While it can be scary if your puppy is diagnosed with Giardia, especially if you are a first-time puppy owner, it is actually a very common diagnosis. Dachshund puppies are especially susceptible to not only getting Giardia, but to being affected by it in serious ways. Oftentimes, Giardia will show itself as nothing but a few loose stools. Other times, especially with the added stress of going to a new home, Giardia can present itself as bloody stools, a loss of appetite, and lethargy. 

The good news is that Giardia is very easy to treat! If you suspect that your puppy has Giardia, then simply take your puppy to see your vet, and they will help you treat it with oral medicine. The symptoms of Giardia usually go away in just a few days. In the meantime, make sure your puppy eats and drinks plenty. 

While your puppy is here with us, they are regularly given a Giardia preventative. However, no medicine can 100% prevent Giardia, and so we cannot guarantee that your dachshund puppy will not have or develop Giardia after you bring him home. Your puppy may get Giardia from playing outside in your yard, from other household pets, from dirty water, or from outdoor walks. While with your breeder, your puppy may get Giardia from their parents or littermates, who may have picked it up whenever they go outside to potty or to play. 

It is important to keep in mind that your breeder prevents Giardia to the best of their ability. All of your breeder’s dogs are given regular Giardia preventive, and their home is sanitised daily. Some breeders may even choose to sanitise their play yards, although in some areas, this can be bad for the environment. 

The only way to 100% prevent Giardia is to never let your puppy on the floor outside or inside, and to never let your puppy be in contact with other animals. This means no more walks, no more playing with the other dogs, and you can just forget about teaching your puppy to go potty outside! For most people, this is just not a realistic possibility. Instead, you and your breeder both must take the risk of your puppy getting Giardia in order to exercise, socialise, and entertain your puppy. 

Although Giardia is annoying, and in some cases can be scary for you and your puppy, it is important to keep in mind that it is very common, it is easily treatable, and it is impossible to prevent.