I'm considering taking my dog to the BWCA this spring.  I'm a little concerned about fleas and ticks, but a little more concerned about him getting giardia.  Do dogs get it, and if so, does Imodium take care of the symptoms?  And do I need to be asking anyone questions, e.g., my vet?

Thanks,
Dave

Dogs can get it.  I do know that much. 

I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once, but I'm not a vet.  I do think talking to your vet about the best ways to avoid/treat would be prudent.

Dave,
One of my passions in my younger years was running hounds. English redticks was our preferred breed and typically it was a 3 or 4 night a week habit. Probably a 1/4 of that time was in lower northern Michigan and I can't ever remember the dogs getting sick much.

We also competition hunted (My dog was Grand Night Champion and one of the best friends I've ever had)..........I can never remember anybody talking about giardia nor was there ever any precautions taken. Not saying it can't happen.........

What I did have problems with was porcupines. Now that was a big mess. The quills are very hard to get out.......infections are usually standard procedure. Very tough situation. The worst thing was Duffy hated them with such a passion he couldn't resist killing one if he came across them.....fortunately it only happened a few times but It stopped me from going into porky country much...... 

Not sure what kind of dog you have and if he/she would take hold of one but it is something to think about. On the other hand I can't ever remember seeing any porkys out and about much in Canoe country but they gotta be there.   

ive got a female running walker hound/springer mix, 6 months old. hounds have notoriously fragile digestive systems so id think giardia would not be pleasant. on the other hand, my lab, who is no longer with us  :'( went with me everywhere and drank from every mud puddle and swampy stinky water she could find. cant recall her ever getting sick from it. what kind of dog do you have?

@mt, seems like we have a lot in common, great minds??

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jaximus wrote on Mar 14^th, 2013 at 10:26am:

@mt, seems like we have a lot in common, great minds??   (You need to Login or Register

Jax where have you been? I have been accused of much around here (BTC).......having a great mind isn't one of them  ;D

Your pup is a cutie pie........

mastertangler wrote on Mar 14^th, 2013 at 11:13am:

jaximus wrote on Mar 14th, 2013 at 10:26am: @mt, seems like we have a lot in common, great minds??   (You need to Login or Register Jax where have you been? I have been accused of much around here (BTC).......having a great mind isn't one of them  ;D Your pup is a cutie pie........

MT, Go back and check out the his next picture. You'll like it too. Jax, Very nice.

Jax -- check this site out.....   appears dogs can get giardia, but symptoms aren't as bad as in humans.  Personally I wouldn't worry about it, but then again, you mentioned your dog has a sensitive subject. 

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I've had my dog everywhere, and he has drank from the most god-awful water, no problems.  Maybe some diarrhea, but who knows what that's from. 

I worry more about my dog digging up human feces in the QP, as they don't have privies, and I also pick up his crap at BWCA campsites.  Good way to get dogs banned from the BWCA and QP! 

cheers,

prouboy

One of the things about Giardia is I think you need moose and wolves in the area too. Not just beaver. So it might not be as much a problem in other areas we've taken dogs.

I'd say talk to your vet. Probably no way to prevent it and it's very treatable. At least my case was. Take about 10 days to show up in humans.

Jim J Solo wrote on Mar 14^th, 2013 at 1:25pm:
MT, Go back and check out the his next picture. You'll like it too. Jax, Very nice.[/quote]
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Jim your not really falling for that are you? Clearly it's photo shopped.........you don't think some young whippersnapper could land a fish like that do you? People these days, can't trust anyone anymore. The next thing he'll be saying is he caught it on 6# test....... ;)

If your dog drinks from lakes and puddles at home it should have no trouble with the water fauna in the B-dub.

Thanks for the feedback, folks.  I've learned quite a bit in the past few days, including:
- Dogs do get giardia, but many (possibly most) don't show any symptoms.
- Several meds are available to treat it.

I have a 10-year-old Australian Shepherd who is extremely friendly and better-trained than he is friendly.  E.g., he knows right and left and I can call him off rabbits and squirrels in mid-charge.
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I'm still undecided about bringing him along (10 days in the LLC area) but it's no longer about giardia.

Dave

@prouboy, thats a good site, very interesting stuff! maybe its just hounds, or just my dog, but she is super sensitive. my favorite candy, gummi-worms, give her awful fits even.

@mt, it was 6lb test, my wife was there, shes a witness!!

jaximus wrote on Mar 14^th, 2013 at 11:51pm:

@mt, it was 6lb test, my wife was there, shes a witness!!

Stop lying Jax........it would take at least 3 days to land that (photoshopped) fish on 6lb test. I think you might of mistaken some GULP for those Gummi Worms you are so fond of and it shorted out yer noogin. Now you have involved your wife in this conspiracy? This is nothing but a hoax that you are trying to perpetrate on the fine members of this here forum!! You sir are flirting with penalties of the highest order lest you recant your preposterous statements.........