Giardia and roundworm in puppy

[Deuce]

I got my puppy 2 weeks ago from a reputable breeder, at 8 weeks old he was 6 lbs and now at 10 weeks old he is 10 lbs. I felt like he was a little underweight but just attributed it to him being stressed about the long trip from the breeder to me and the new home. He has been having some weird looking stool recently so I took some in to the vet to have it looked at. They said he has giardia and roundworm. Is this something I should contact the breeder about or is it pretty normal? Also, my roommate has a dog, do I need to keep them separated for a while?

I am kind of freaking out and am a little mad at the breeder, am I overreacting?

[BrokenAquarian]

Giardia is not normal from a good breeder. I would be angry.
Good breeders also worm their pups - they don't send them out sick and wormy.

If you've had your pup outside, they can get Giardia from stagnant puddles and such(I think)

[Deuce]

The breeder said the pup was wormed at 2,4,6 and 7 weeks old. What should I tell the breeder and what should I expect from her?

Also, can these two things have long term effects, particularly growth effects on the puppy?

[BrokenAquarian]

Well, if you've had the pup for 2 weeks, it's possible he contracted the illness while in your care. If you can't prove that it's the breeders fault - I'm not sure that there's much you can do.
Even if it was the breeders fault, there's nothing you can do - except not reccomend them to people and not buy from them again.

If you get the pup treated and it's not at death's door, there should be no effects at all.

[Timas Mom]

If you seek treatment now then no. Roundworm is very common.
Giardia is less so ,and usually found in contaminated water and areas with large amount of dogs.

Get the required meds asap, they are different for both, and being "wormed" doesnt get rid of Giardia.
Giardia is shed intermittently and yes your room mate dogs can get it.
We always recommended bum washes (to remove any cysts every 2 days) and meds. I would treat your room mates dog to be safe.

[AllisonPibbleLvr]

I would say we find giardia and/or roundworms in close to half the puppies that come in to our clinic regardless of what kind of kennel/pet store/dude on the street they came from.
Both are transmissible between pets and are zoonotic so be proactive and make sure you're cleaning up all his poops right away.

Giardia is also easily reacquired so don't be surprised if you need multiple treatments to fully eradicate it. Recheck a sample in 4 weeks.

[jamielvsaustin]

zoonotic

??What does this mean? Can be passed between different types of animals? (zoo)

[AllisonPibbleLvr]

zoonotic

??What does this mean? Can be passed between different types of animals? (zoo)

And humans.

Anyone ever heard of "beaver fever"? (or is that a Canadian term...?)

[BrokenAquarian]

zoonotic

??What does this mean? Can be passed between different types of animals? (zoo)

And humans.

Anyone ever heard of "beaver fever"? (or is that a Canadian term...?)

I've heard of it - but it doesn't mean the same thing *Cough*

[Sarah]

zoonotic

??What does this mean? Can be passed between different types of animals? (zoo)

And humans.

Anyone ever heard of "beaver fever"? (or is that a Canadian term...?)

Yes, I've heard it called "beaver fever". Not too often, though. I have a coworker who had giardia once. It's an obnoxious parasite, and hard to get rid of.

The pup could have acquired the giardia since being purchased, I think (not sure how long it takes to show up). The roundworms don't make sense, though. If the pup was wormed 4 times, those should be thoroughly gone.

[Misskiwi67]

The pup could have acquired the giardia since being purchased, I think (not sure how long it takes to show up). The roundworms don't make sense, though. If the pup was wormed 4 times, those should be thoroughly gone.

Unless he wasn't dewormed properly, something I see with breeders ALL the time...