title: Giardiasis in a cattery.
abstract: Giardia sp infection was believed responsible for chronic, intermittent diarrhea in a group of 14 Persian cats. Seven of the cats were shedding Giardia sp cysts, and 6 of these cats had diarrhea at the time of fecal examination. Conversely, only 1 of 6 clinically normal cats in the group was shedding Giardia sp cysts. Cysts were not detected in feces of 2 cats with diarrhea. Cats less than or equal to 3 years old were more likely to be found shedding cysts. The parasite apparently was eradicated from the cattery by a combination of cage disinfection (1% sodium hypochlorite solution) and oral furazolidone treatment (4 mg/kg of body weight, BID for 5 consecutive days). During treatment, clinical signs resolved, and all cats remained clinically normal 2 months after treatment.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D002415:Cats; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D004203:Disinfection; D005664:Furazolidone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite
chemical_list: D008795:Metronidazole; D005664:Furazolidone; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite