Amoeba infections in dogs happen when one of two types of parasitic amoebas infect the animal. The two types of amoeba infections in dogs are known as entamoeba histolytica and acanthamoeba.
Dogs can contract entamoeba histolytica through consuming human feces or, sometimes, drinking contaminated water. They can contract acanthamoeba through contaminated bodies of water. Amoeba infections can also affect humans and cats.
If you see signs that your dog might be suffering from an infection, then you must consult your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis and course of treatment. Here’s what you should know about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of amoeba infection in dogs.
Symptoms Of Amoeba Infection In Dogs
Amoeba infections in dogs produce different sorts of symptoms depending on whether a dog is suffering from entamoeba histolytica or acanthamoeba.
Entamoeba histolytica can bring on the following common symptoms:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Bad breath
- General lethargy
In comparison, acanthamoeba can bring on the following symptoms:
- Fever
- Loss of appetite
- Breathing difficulties
- Eye and nose discharge
Causes Of Amoeba Infection In Dogs
The cause of amoeba infection in dogs depends on whether the actual infection is entamoeba histolytica or acanthamoeba. In cases caused by entamoeba histolytica, ingesting human feces is the main way that dogs can contract the disease.
In cases caused by acanthamoeba, a dog is most likely to contract the disease after drinking contaminated water, whether that’s sewage or an outside body of freshwater or saltwater.
Generally, dogs with compromised immune systems and younger canines are most at risk for catching one of these infections.
Treatments For Amoeba Infection In Dogs
If you suspect that your dog is suffering from an amoeba infection, your veterinarian will likely want to conduct blood tests along with analyzing your dog’s urine and feces.
Once they confirm their diagnosis, the course of treatment will depend on which type of infection they’ve detected.
In cases of entamoeba histolytica, vets often prescribe the antibiotic drug metronidazole. As ever, if your vet prescribes your dog any medicine, it’s vital that you adhere to the precise dosage and frequency instructions in addition to completing the full course of medication.
In cases involving acanthamoeba, treatment is much harder, and in many unfortunate cases, the condition proves to be fatal.
Has your dog ever developed an amoeba infection? How did your vet help them recover? Tell us all about it in the comments below.
