Too soon to start round two?

[Directorthiang]

Powder finished his 10-day course of metronidazole for Giardia last Monday, and tonight, I noticed that his poop is large and greasy AGAIN. Haven't seen mucous, and he's pooping plenty, but it's that same gigantic size that indicated a Giardia flare up last time. The thing is, the vet told me to wait two weeks after finishing the first round of metronidazole before bringing him back in for a follow-up fecal, but these symptoms have me thinking that perhaps I shouldn't wait?

I could make an appointment for this week, or is it necessary to wait the 2-week period? Also, I have plenty of metronidazole left over; should I start him on it again?

Thoughts?

 

[Riven]

The reason for the two week wait is because giardia is only susceptible to the medication at certain stages of it's life, the two week interval allows you to kill them all, so what is still too young to be affected the first round, gets hit with the second.

Doing another round right after is generally futile.

If you're concerned call your vet and ask them to do a fecal for you just to check on it, they can do this without having to take Powder in, just some fresh poo.

 

[AZChins]

You could start it again, but you may have to do another course in three weeks or so. Call the vet and ask. It may not be necessary to go in for a visit. The medication isn't excessively harsh so the vet may tell you to go ahead and treat for another 10 days.

I hope he gets over it so you don't have to go back and forth with medication and waiting to see if it comes back.

 

[Directorthiang]

Vet said to go ahead and start a round two. I'll give it another 10 days and then see how they're doing. My only concern is that while the medicine may supposedly not be harsh, I've read a lot of literature about it causing liver failure in chins. Also, they each hit a point during the last 10 day course where they stopped eating and grew very inactive (around day 4). Is that normal??? Scared the tar out of me...

 

[AZChins]

It can happen for sure. Their little bodies go through a lot with giardia. This time shouldn't be as bad. The liver damage shouldn't be too severe, just make sure to only give them the dose the vet has recommended and only go for 10 days.

Maybe if this course of meds doesn't get it, you should give it a month before trying again? I've never had to administer a third time.

 

[ann1]

Omg i am so sorry. Good luck with them. I'll keep my fingers crossed that the second times a charm