Krissy, Reme and Olive are often at the Sherwood Park Tail Blazers (located west of Park Mazda and Safeway, and across the parking lot from Second Cup) if you want to say hi or talk to their guardian (the store owner!) about how to help keep your dog or cat healthy!



Not all stores carry the same items, please contact your location for availability.  

Giardia is a common parasite, especially in the spring, and symptoms are characterized by:

• a loss of appetite
• diarrhea
• nausea
• stomach pain
• gas
• bloating
• weight loss

The most common means of infestation comes from ingestion of water (such as puddles) that has been infected by an organism in the fecal matter of fish or other animals.

Animals tend to be more resistant to it than humans are, and the severity of the infestation depends on the overall health of the host! Symptoms manifest after 7-10 days after ingestion. Giardia can also be caused by contaminated food. The organism infects the lining of the digestive tract and can invade the liver. Mal-absorption of nutrients occurs when the parasites damage the absorptive surface of the intestinal lining (intestinal villi). If it is left untreated it can lead to other diseases such as eczema, arthritis and irritable bowel/Crohn's disease. Giardia can affect both cats and dogs.
 

Natural Treatment 

Grapefruit seed extract (GSE) is a very helpful all natural ingredient used for treating giardia and other parasites. It helps to boost the immune-system and is a natural anti-biotic, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and parasite preventative. GSE can also be diluted for use as a disinfectant spray or for hot spots. Oregano oil can also be used as an alternative to GSE. Adding probiotics (healthy bacteria) to your pet's diet is also beneficial, as these bacteria support the immune and digestive systems. Both oregano oil and GSE are potent, so talk to us about the appropriate dosage and administration methods!