Giardia & Coccidia
Giardia & Coccidia in Puppies: What Every New Puppy Family Should Know
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting adventure, and along with all the snuggles, playtime, and training comes learning about your puppy's health. Two of the most common intestinal parasites seen in young puppies are Giardia and Coccidia.
While hearing these names can sound scary, they're actually very common in puppies—especially those coming from environments where puppies play together. The good news is that with prompt treatment and good hygiene, most puppies recover quickly and go on to live perfectly healthy lives.
What is Giardia?
Giardia is a microscopic parasite that lives in the small intestine. Puppies become infected by swallowing the parasite, usually through contaminated water, grass, soil, or feces.
Because puppies are naturally curious and explore the world with their noses (and mouths!), exposure can happen almost anywhere—including dog parks, boarding facilities, grooming salons, pet stores, daycare, or even your own backyard.
Common Signs of Giardia
Not every puppy will show symptoms, but signs may include:
Soft stools or diarrhea
Mucus in the stool
Foul-smelling stool
Occasional vomiting
Weight loss or poor weight gain
Decreased appetite
Low energy (in more severe cases)
Many puppies continue acting completely normal despite having Giardia.
What is Coccidia?
Coccidia are tiny, single-celled parasites that infect the lining of the intestines. Like Giardia, they are extremely common in young puppies because their immune systems are still developing.
Puppies become infected by ingesting microscopic eggs (called oocysts) found in contaminated environments or by grooming contaminated paws after being outside.
Common Signs of Coccidia
Symptoms can include:
Diarrhea (sometimes watery)
Mucus in the stool
Occasionally blood in the stool
Dehydration
Decreased appetite
Weight loss
Lethargy in more severe infections
Some puppies never develop symptoms at all.
Why Are These Parasites So Common?
Even puppies raised in exceptionally clean environments can encounter Giardia or Coccidia.
These organisms are incredibly common in nature and thrive anywhere dogs frequent, including:
Grass
Soil
Standing water
Dog parks
Kennels
Grooming facilities
Veterinary clinics
Wildlife areas
Public sidewalks
Young puppies have immature immune systems, making them more susceptible than healthy adult dogs.
Finding Giardia or Coccidia does not automatically mean a puppy came from an unclean environment or was poorly cared for.
Can Puppies Bring Them Home?
Yes.
A puppy can become exposed shortly before going home and not develop symptoms for several days.
The incubation period can vary, meaning a puppy may appear perfectly healthy at pickup but begin having digestive upset after arriving home.
Stress from travel, moving to a new environment, dietary changes, or excitement can sometimes contribute to symptoms becoming noticeable.
How Are They Diagnosed?
Your veterinarian may recommend:
A fecal flotation test
A Giardia antigen (ELISA) test
PCR fecal testing (more sensitive)
Additional fecal testing if symptoms persist
Because Giardia and Coccidia aren't always shed consistently, one negative fecal sample doesn't necessarily rule them out. On the flip side, Giardia can
How Are They Treated?
Fortunately, both parasites are treatable.
Your veterinarian may prescribe medications such as:
For Giardia:
Fenbendazole (Panacur® or Safeguard)
Metronidazole (sometimes used)
Occasionally a combination of medications
For Coccidia:
Sulfadimethoxine (Albon®)
Ponazuril (commonly prescribed by many veterinarians)
Toltrazuril
Treatment recommendations vary depending on your veterinarian and your puppy's individual needs.
How Can You Help Prevent Reinfection?
Good hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent reinfection.
We recommend:
Pick up stool promptly.
Wash food and water bowls regularly.
Bathe your puppy after treatment if recommended by your veterinarian.
Wash bedding frequently.
Clean crates and playpens.
Wash your hands after handling stool.
Avoid standing water and unknown water sources.
Prevent your puppy from eating feces.
Because Giardia cysts and Coccidia oocysts can survive in the environment, complete prevention isn't always possible—but these steps greatly reduce the risk.
Our Deworming Protocol
At Doodles of Oz, the health of our puppies is our highest priority. Our puppies receive routine veterinary care, regular deworming protocols, daily cleaning, and careful monitoring throughout their time with us. Despite these preventative measures, Giardia and Coccidia remain common parasites that can be encountered almost anywhere dogs spend time.
Below is our deworming protocol that we have found the most effective to prevent our puppies from going home with parasites:
2 & 4 weeks: Pyrantel Pamoate x 1 day (hookworms, roundworms)
5 weeks: Toltrazuril x 3 days
6 weeks: Safeguard x 5 days
7 weeks: Fecal float at our vet (if negative no dewormer is given at 7 weeks)
Even with a negative fecal at 7 weeks old, we typically give 1-3 days of Safeguard right before your puppy goes home at 8 weeks old.
Final Thoughts
Despite the unpleasant symptoms they can cause, Giardia and Coccidia are both very common and highly treatable. Most puppies recover quickly with appropriate veterinary care and experience no long-term effects.
Young puppies can be more susceptible because their immune systems are still developing, which is why we recommend contacting your veterinarian promptly if you notice any signs of digestive upset. Early diagnosis and treatment help ensure the best outcome.
If your new puppy develops diarrhea, soft stools, decreased appetite, or other digestive changes, don't panic. Contact your veterinarian so they can determine the cause and recommend the appropriate treatment.
We are always here to support our Doodles of Oz families. If you have questions after bringing your puppy home, please don't hesitate to reach out—we're happy to help however we can.
