1. QUESTION
My vet says my dog has giardia. What is this?

ANSWER
Giardia is a parasitic infection of the intestine. Dogs get it from other dogs or from stagnant water. It’s quite contagious, especially in unhygienic conditions.

It can also be difficult to get rid of the parasite as no drug is 100 per cent effective. The infection can be transmitted to people but only if you have contact with animal stools. It results in abdominal pain, cramps and diarrhoea in people. It can’t be prevented by vaccination.

2. QUESTION
I think my spaniel has gained too much weight over the years. How do I know when my dog is overweight and how can I put him on a diet?

ANSWER
An astonishing 30 per cent of South African pets – that’s more than 2,5 million cats and dogs – are estimated to be overweight, according to recent statistics released by Hill’s Pet Nutrition.

Obesity increases an animal’s risk of developing a range of health problems including heart disease, arthritis, diabetes and cancer. Overfeeding and under-exercising are the main causes of pet obesity. Look out for the following signs of obesity:

• You can’t feel your pet’s ribs.


• You can’t see your pet’s waist.


• Your pet is tired, lethargic or short of breath.

The solution is to feed your pet the right amount of healthy food and take it for regular walks. Ask your vet for advice on how to put your pet on a weight-management programme.

Click here for our cybervet forum