Feline giardiasis: a review

Giardia is a widespread and common protozoan parasite of domestic cats, with reported prevalences of infection ranging from 1 to 11 per cent. Chronic diarrhoea, either intermittent or continuous, which does not respond to routine antidiarrhoeal treatments is characteristic of giardiasis; although illness does not necessarily result from infection. Giardia cysts or trophozoites may be detected in the faeces of infected cats; however, the small size of the cysts (relative to helminth ova), their transparency, and their discontinuous excretion by cats may frustrate diagnosis. Zinc sulphate centrifugal flotation is the method of choice for detection of faecal Giardia cysts. Clinically affected cats respond well to oral metronidazole or furazolidone treatments. The relationship of G. felis to the Giardia spp. of other mammals (including man) remains controversial.