CVET Quick Test Giardia

When does it make sense to do a rapid test for Giardia?

The Giardia antigen test can be used for chronically recurrent, persistent
diarrhoea with an unclear cause in dogs and cats, especially in puppies and kittens.

The Giardia antigen test is suitable as a screening tool for places where many pets are kept together. Think of kennels, catteries, shelters and boarding kennels. For this, collected samples can be examined for Giardia.

What do you need to know before conducting the Giardia rapid test on your animal

Before testing your pet, it is important to name a few things when it comes to a Giardia infection:

• Giardia is a highly contagious parasite common in dogs and cats.
• Giardia is especially a problem in animals with a weaker immune system.
• Giardia is not excreted in every stool. So it is important to do the test on a mixed sample of stool collected over 3 days and kept refrigerated in the meantime.
• If your animal tests positive for Giardia, it is wise to discuss treatment with your vet.
• Do you doubt the result, or does the test remain positive despite treatment? Contact your vet!
• Does the test remain negative, but does your animal keep having symptoms of thin stools? Visit your vet for a check-up.

Prior to test

With the rapid test you can quickly and reliably test for Giardia antigen in the stool.
Do not use stool samples older than 2 days and stored outside the fridge. Bring the stool to room temperature prior to testing. Prepare a mixed sample of stool collected over 3 days.

The test procedure of the Giardia rapid test (figures 1 to 4)

Step 1: Take a sample of the stool with the cotton swab.

Step 2: Unscrew the test tube and insert the cotton swab with sample.

Step 3: Move the cotton swab back and forth in the liquid to allow the stool to dissolve. Then close and shake the test tube so that the sample and liquid mix well and discolour. NOTE: Do not leave the sample after it has dissolved. Immediately apply the sample to the sample field.

Step 4: Break the tip of the test tube by applying pressure. Open the test cassette packaging and place the cassette on a horizontal surface. By applying slight pressure, you can initially drip 3 drops of the sample material onto the sample area of the test cassette. If the liquid does not start flowing after a few seconds, you can add a drop of sample liquid to the sample field. If the liquid does not flow well, you can press on the sample area with the back of the cotton swab for a while.

The test can be analysed after 10 minutes.

The test result (figures 5 and 6)

You can recognise a positive test by both a line at the test line and at the control line (Figure 5). It does not matter how clearly visible the line is from the test line.

A negative test result only shows a line at the control line (figure 6).

When is the test result invalid?

If there was too much stool in the sample, a brown line may become visible in the T area. The test is then unreliable and invalid.

If no control line arises at all, the test is invalid.

What should I do in case of a positive test result for Giardia?

If your animal tests positive for Giardia with the rapid test, this means that Giardia antigens have been detected in the faeces.
It is then wise to discuss a treatment plan with your vet.

What should I do in case of a negative test result for Giardia?

The Giardia cysts are not excreted with every stool. A negative test result does not necessarily mean that your animal does not have a Giardia infection. It may be necessary to repeat the test after about a week. Always perform the test on a mixed sample of stool collected over a period of at least 3 days.

Help support your dog or cat’s (intestinal) resistance to a Giardia infection

As indicated earlier, Giardia is primarily a parasite that causes problems in animals with reduced immunity.

You can help support your animal’s intestinal immunity with probiotics such as the Puur Probiotic in combination with the Puur Parasitus, which will make the intestines unattractive to unwanted bacteria and parasites.