Dear Porky and Buddy,
I just took in Bentley, a stray kitten that was hanging around my front porch and I am glad to give him a home.
At first he seemed fine. I had him checked by my vet and he is starting his vaccinations. But all of a sudden his poop got all runny and really really stinky.
I took him back to the vet and they think he has a parasite called “giardia.”
I have medication for him, but I am afraid of catching it myself or that it will spread to my other cat.
How can I prevent that?
It’s really gross.
Cindy
Dear Cindy,
First of all, thanks so much for giving Bentley a home. Is your other cat named Mercedes? Just asking.
Let’s talk about Giardia.
It is a weird microscopic parasite that is found throughout the world. It can be a tough little bugger to control because it actually has a sort of shell.
That means it can survive on its own in the environment for much longer than other common parasites.
The type that infects cats is not the same as the one that usually infects humans so your chances of getting it from Bentley are slim.
That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be careful when you are cleaning up after him.
Wear gloves, dispose of his waste in plastic bags in the trash, wash your hands thoroughly after handling him.
In all likelihood, Bentley drank some water from a puddle or stream somewhere and got it there.
Giardia is very common in the environment.
As he gets older he will probably develop some resistance to it, but for now, in addition to following your vet’s instructions carefully with his medication, try to make sure that he has access to fresh clean water and limit his access to possibly contaminated water sources.
If possible, keep him inside if you are not already doing that.
In order to prevent reinfection from his own water you should change his bowl or bowls every single day.
Wash and dry the bowls.
Leave them dry for at least a day and switch with other bowls that have been dry for at least a day.
The day of drying will kill any lingering giardia on the surface.
Do the same with his bedding and toys.
Clean them in whatever way is appropriate but try to let them dry for as long as possible after cleaning and switch them up if possible.
Giardia can be a pain in the you know what, but it will eventually go away.
Don’t hesitate to call your vet if his symptoms don’t appear to be getting better soon.
Assuming that your other cat is older he has probably developed a resistance to giardia, as it rarely causes symptoms in healthy older cats.
If he is sharing water and food bowls with Bentley, the routine cleaning and drying will in all likelihood protect him sufficiently.
It wouldn’t hurt to keep an eye on him though for signs of diarrhea and get him to a vet if that should happen.
Oh the joys of pet ownership!
The Oswego County Humane Society provides spay/neuter services and assistance, fostering and adoption of animals in urgent need, humane education programs, and information and referrals to animal lovers throughout Oswego County.
Located at 29 W. Seneca St., Oswego, NY.
Phone: 315-207-1070.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.oswegohumane.org
Because People and Pets Are Good for Each Other.
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