title: Efficacy of albendazole against giardiasis in dogs.
abstract: Efficacy of albendazole for treating giardiasis in dogs was assessed in 3 experiments. In experiment 1, Giardia cysts were cleared from feces of 5 of 7 dogs (as determined by the zinc-sulfate concentration technique) after the dogs received a single dose of albendazole (25 mg/kg of body weight, PO), whereas feces of 3 of 7 dogs became clear of cysts without treatment. In experiment 2, feces of 5 of 5 dogs became clear of cysts after albendazole treatment (25 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h for 4 doses); feces of 1 of 5 untreated control dogs became clear. In experiment 3, feces of 18 of 20 dogs became clear of cysts after albendazole (25 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h for 4 doses) was given; none of the 20 control dogs had feces clear of cysts. Signs of toxicosis were not observed in any dog. These results indicate that a single dose of albendazole (25 mg/kg, PO) is not effective for treating giardiasis in dogs. However, 4 doses of albendazole (25 mg/kg, PO, q 12 h) are highly effective and non-toxic for treatment of giardiasis in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Barr
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Bowman
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Erb
mesh_terms: D015766:Albendazole / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*
chemical_list: D015766:Albendazole