2021 Success Story Lil’ Man cat

This bright-eyed kitty is Lil’ Man, and he's just 1.5-years-old. His parents rescued him outside of town when they noticed him on the side of the road and he’s been a beloved part of the family since.

For about a month, his parents noticed that he was having mucus like poo, so they gave him a dewormer since Lil’ Man can go in and out of the house. But, it didn’t seem to be getting any better, so they decided that their Lil’ Man needed to go to the vet.

At the vet they found that Lil’ Man had giardia, which is a parasite that causes tummy issues—and, yes, it can cause issues in humans, too. Though sometimes confused with intestinal worms, giardia is a type of parasite called a protozoan that invades the gastrointestinal tract. Poor Lil’ Man likely got it while on one of his outdoor adventures—it’s not too difficult for your cat to pick it up, particularly if he or she has free access to the outdoors.

Symptoms of giardia (giardiasis) in cats
Commons signs that your cat has giardiasis include:

• abdominal bloating
• diarrhea, either with sudden onset or of the more chronic variety; and it will likely be very stinky
• nauseous or uninterested in food
• neglect grooming
• stools may be bloody or accompanied by mucous or flatulence
• vomiting
• weight loss

According to Hills, not all cats infected with giardia show symptoms, especially if they are healthy; but, younger cats, and older or stressed cats are susceptible. However, giardiasis can be fatal if left untreated, so taking your cat to the vet if they show any of these signs is vital.

According to the CDC, there is a low change of people getting a giardia infection from your pet. The type of Giardia that infects humans is not usually the same type that infects dogs and cats.

Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic caused Lil’ Man’s dad to be laid off, and when his unemployment ran out he was struggling to find a job, causing his family to fall far behind. They did not expect their kitty to get sick, and did not have the funds for a visit. They applied to Fur Kids Foundation for help, and we were able to step in and help them get Lil’ Man the medical help he needed. Lil’ Man had to take some antibiotics but is expected to make a full recovery.

About Fur Kids Foundation
Fur Kids Foundation is 100% run by dedicated volunteers who give their time to help the Foundation raise money with events, take applications, and spread the word about the good work the Foundation does in Campbell County, Wyoming. If you would like to help Fur Kids Foundation continue to help local families with animals afford emergency veterinary care, please consider making a tax-deductible donation via PayPal or signing up to become a volunteer. Read more Success Stories.