Giardia -- it's a word no pet lover wants tohear.
A microscopic parasite that causes the diarrhealillness known as giardiasis, giardia can be found in the environment oron any surface that has been in contact with feces from infected animals. The problem is particularly acute inanimal shelters, where treatment can delay or even cancel animal adoptions.
The solution is to clean and disinfect the areaswhere the animals live. And the best method for that is steam cleaning,according to Dr. Wendy Wolfson, assistant professor at Louisiana StateUniversity's School of Veterinary Medicine.
"Some animal shelters use pressure washers,along with disinfectants to clean for giardia, but steam cleaning is thepreferred method," said Dr. Wolfson, who specializes in shelter medicine.
The high-temperature steam eradicates theparasites on contact. Dr. Wolfson also noted steam is particularly effective onporous surfaces like concrete, found in many animal shelters.
Another benefit to using steam cited by Dr.Wolfson is fighting the bugs that have been become resistant to traditionaldisinfectants.
Once in the environment, giardia is known tosurvive weeks or even months. Whether keeping animal shelters safe andsanitary, or treating a pet's home environment, steam cleaning is the bestsolution to controlling giardia.
That's why the Humane Society of IndependenceCounty in Batesville, Arkansas recently reached out to Vapor Clean for help.Veterinarian Dr. Nanci Solis, who supports the shelter, described "anincreasing and ongoing problem with giardia in the dogs." It had become soserious, she said "the shelter board made the difficult decision to closeintakes to additional dogs until they could get this problem undercontrol."
Dr. Solis spoke to Dr. Wolfson at LSU, whoconfirmed "that the only thing missing from our protocol is steamcleaning."
As a result of her request for help, Vapor Cleandonated a Pro6 Duo, continuous refill steam cleaning unit to the shelter.
"I cannot thank you enough for yourgenerosity and for your rapid response," Dr. Solis wrote to Vapor Cleanpresident Kathryn Lemieux. "This is beyond what we could have dreamed of orhoped for - thank you! You have no idea how much this means to us to now beable to effectively eliminate the encysted form of this terrible intestinalparasite."
Along with the Pro6 Duo, the Pro 5 steam cleaneris another good option for shelters. Both machines achieve temperatures of over325 degrees, enough to kill any parasites, including giardia.
Vapor Clean maintains a Shelter Donation program.If you know of an animal shelter in need, go here for more information and howto request assistance.
FAQs
Both machines achieve temperatures of over 325 degrees, enough to kill any parasites, including giardia. Vapor Clean maintains a Shelter Donation program.
Does steam cleaning get rid of giardia? ›
Common household disinfectants and steam-cleaning are the most effective ways for killing Giardia cysts. Remove and dispose of all feces promptly. Giardia cysts on the lawn can only be killed by direct sunlight drying them.
What cleaners are effective against Giardia? ›
Giardia can be killed & inactivated using 2-5% Lysol or, a 1% chlorine bleach solution. Here is a list of common environmental areas & surfaces to clean: 1. Pet's hind end – bathing pets every day (or at least their hind end) will reduce the risk of re-infection.
Are steam cleaners safe for pets? ›
Steam Cleaning Creates a Safe Environment From controlling pests to safeguarding against dangerous parasites, or just providing a clean and safe environment for all your pets, nothing compares to the power of steam cleaning.
Does steam cleaning remove bacteria? ›
The steam generated by steam cleaners and steam cleaning kills most viruses and bacteria; however, there is a catch. It must be hot enough for the steam to be effective. With a temperature of between 175 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit, steam disinfects and kills 99% of bacteria, viruses, and more.
What heat kills Giardia? ›
Heat Heating water is a time-proven method of killing contaminants. While Giardia cysts die at temperatures below boiling (130-145° F), to be safe you should maintain a rolling boil for several minutes-longer at high altitudes.
Does Lysol get rid of Giardia? ›
Lysol® and quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., Parvosol®) are also reported to kill cysts effectively. Giardia cysts are susceptible to drying, so keep your environment as dry as possible.
What kills Giardia naturally? ›
Natural treatment methods for giardiasis are usually quite inexpensive, with most health food stores having the black walnut or a bottle of grapefruit seed extract available for just a few dollars. Medicines such as Metronidazole are also quite inexpensive.
What shampoo kills giardia in dogs? ›
Removing Giardia cysts from the dog's fur and environment is critical to speed resolution and help prevent re-infection or spread to other dogs. Bathing dogs with a chlorhexidine-containing shampoo at the beginning and end of the course of treatment removes cysts from the hair coat.
Can Giardia live on carpet? ›
As you probably know, giardia is a protozoa that is often passed through feces. If the cysts are passed into the carpet, they can live for a period of time. (the time period depends on how many cysts and the moisture content of the carpet). However, they are susceptible to drying.
Never use essential oils or products like Vicks Vaposteam with the humidifier, as these can irritate your pet's eyes, nose, and skin. Some oils are even toxic for pets.
Is Stanley steemer safe for dogs? ›
Even our carpet cleaning solution is an EPA Safer Choice product, which means it is safe for you, your pets and, the environment.
How often should you steam clean your carpet with pets? ›
Conclusion. When you have pets, you should clean your carpet at least once or twice a week. That does depend on how many pets you have and the type of hair they have.
What should you not steam clean? ›
What NOT to Clean with Steam Cleaners
- Anything that can be damaged due to heat exposure, such as water-based paint and cardboard.
- Porous surfaces, such as stucco, brick, and marble.
- Large industrial spaces and food plants.
- Large areas of carpet.
- Delicate items, such as silks, thin plastics, and velour upholstery.
So, where does the dirt go when you steam clean? Actually, it doesn't go anywhere. Instead, the heat and vapour of steam cleaning ensure that all the unwanted substances or stains are fully broken down and easy to get rid of.
Does steam cleaning actually clean? ›
Using such high heat steam not only makes vapor steam cleaners ideal tools for items like upholstery, mattresses, and pillows (where you don't want any lingering moisture), but it also kills microorganisms and viruses on contact. These units are typically both – good at cleaning floors and above-the-floor cleaning.
How do I get rid of Giardia permanently? ›
When signs and symptoms are severe or the infection persists, doctors usually treat giardia infection with medications such as: Metronidazole (Flagyl). Metronidazole is the most commonly used antibiotic for giardia infection.
How do you clean Giardia off the floor? ›
Surfaces
- Remove any poop with paper towels or another absorbent material.
- Put the poop in a plastic bag and throw it away.
- Clean the area using soap or another cleaning product appropriate for the surface.
- Rinse the surface thoroughly until you cannot see any traces of poop left.
- Let the area fully dry.
After your pets have been treated by your vet for Giardia, keep them in an area of your home that you have pre-cleaned. You can use a 1-to-10 solution of bleach and water to pre-clean a room by simply mopping the floor with the solution.
How long does Giardia last on surface? ›
At room temperature (around 25°C/77°F), Giardia can survive for approximately 1 week (7 days). In a dry, warm environment that experiences direct sunlight, Giardia can survive for only a few days 8,9. In a moist, cool environment, Giardia can survive for up to several weeks.
