This week, we celebrated our sweet Finley-girl’s 8th birthday, and while we showered her with love, treats, and belly rubs, I couldn’t help but think back on the summer we just went through with her. Honestly, it was one of the most stressful and emotional three months we’ve ever had as dog parents. But now that she’s healthy and thriving again, I want to share our experience in case it helps another family going through a similar situation.
It all started on a Monday afternoon — just one day after we’d taken her out to downtown Acworth for a fun evening. We ate on a restaurant patio (where she was served water in a dog bowl by the waiter), and afterward we strolled down to the beach park. I don’t recall letting her near the lake water, but it’s possible she had a sip or two.
The next day, she developed diarrhea. In the past, switching her to a bland diet (boiled chicken and rice) always cleared things up within a day or two. But this time was different.
By Wednesday night, things were really concerning. She was restless, anxious, needing to go outside every 30–60 minutes — sometimes she had diarrhea, other times she strained with no result. By 2 a.m., with her clearly uncomfortable and “just not herself,” I rushed her to the ER vet.
The first diagnosis was gastritis. They sent us home with antibiotics, and while that seemed to calm things down slightly, the diarrhea and nighttime bathroom trips continued. We kept her on bland food and even managed to take her on our annual beach trip, but the day we got back, everything flared up again — worse than before.
Over the next several weeks, we saw multiple vets, spent thousands of dollars on tests, and cycled through different antibiotics and even pain meds. Every stool test, ultrasound, and lab report came back “normal” or “negative.” One vet even suggested irritable bowel disease (IBD) and warned it could be lifelong. But deep down, I felt like that wasn’t the answer.
Finally, at a new vet, a float test showed hookworms. We were relieved to have an explanation, and Finley improved almost instantly with antiparasitic medication. But it didn’t last. A week after finishing the meds, her symptoms were back — with a vengeance. She lost nearly 4 pounds (and she was only 15 pounds to begin with!).
At this point, I was exhausted, frustrated, and heartbroken. That’s when I dove deep into research. Between vet visits, late-night Google spirals, Reddit forums, and even asking ChatGPT, I started seeing one culprit pop up again and again: Giardia.
What is Giardia?
Giardia is a microscopic parasite that lives in the intestines. Dogs (and even people) can contract it by ingesting contaminated water, food, soil, or feces. Yep, that means lakes, puddles, dog parks, and even those cute little community dog bowls outside restaurants can all be risky.
It causes giardiasis, an intestinal infection that can persist and recur.
Symptoms in dogs may include:
- Frequent diarrhea (sometimes with mucus or a greasy look)
- Straining or urgency to go
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Gas and bloating
- Dehydration
One of the most frustrating parts? It’s very hard to diagnose. Giardia doesn’t always show up on standard stool tests. Sometimes, multiple samples are needed, and even then, it can still be missed.
Treatment (and Why It’s Tricky)
Giardia can be stubborn. It often requires multiple rounds of antiparasitic medication, and sometimes vets prescribe a combination of meds. Antibiotics are often prescribed as well, but they don’t always address the root cause if Giardia is the culprit.
It can also take months to fully clear because re-infection is common… especially if your pup drinks contaminated water again or if their environment (bedding, yard, toys) isn’t thoroughly cleaned during treatment.
What Finally Worked for Finley
After so many failed treatments, I was at my wits’ end. I truly thought we’d damaged her gut beyond repair. However, after reading numerous online reviews and stories, I decided to try a highly rated antiparasitic supplement from Amazon that people claimed helped their dogs fight Giardia.
It came in powder form that I mixed into her food once a day for three days. Most said you might need more than one round, so I ordered two packages just in case. The reviews were right! Within 24 hours, Finley was back to herself again. Her energy returned, her coat and eyes looked brighter, and she finally seemed comfortable.
That was the end of August. Since then? No second dose needed and no relapses. Praise God! 🙌
A Note of Caution
I am not a veterinarian, and I am absolutely not telling anyone to skip the vet or self-medicate their dog. Every situation is unique, and it’s always best to consult a professional. What worked for Finley may not be right for every pup.
That said, if your dog is struggling with mysterious, recurring diarrhea and your vet can’t pinpoint the cause, ask about Giardia and don’t be afraid to advocate for your pet. It’s sneaky, it’s tough to detect, and it can be a long road to recovery, but there is hope.
What I Learned
- Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, keep asking questions.
- Giardia is way more common than I ever realized.
- Patience (and persistence) are key: sometimes it really does take months.
- Dogs are resilient. Looking at Finley now, you’d never guess the summer she endured.
- I will NEVER let her drink out of a community dog bowl if I can help it.
I hope sharing our story helps another dog parent out there who’s feeling frustrated and scared. If you’ve gone through something similar with your pup, I’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
Here’s to healthy, happy pups, and to many more birthday celebrations with our Finley-girl. 💛🐾
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Indestructible Squeaky Dog Ball
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