Can Giardia Cause Fecal Incontinence in a Puppy?

Giardia mainly causes soft, smelly or greasy diarrhea, and the inflammation it leaves behind can cause urgency. Some puppies have trouble holding stool while the bowel is irritated, even once the stool firms up, and this usually improves as the gut heals. So it’s quite possible this is temporary. Giardia can be stubborn, though, and puppies sometimes need more than one course of treatment and repeat stool tests.

If stool keeps dropping out after the infection has cleared, ask your vet to check her anal sphincter and back-end nerves. Boston Terriers can be born with spinal problems that affect bowel control, and a neurologic exam can help rule that in or out.

A diaper can be useful for short periods, but change it as soon as it’s soiled and give her plenty of time without it, since trapped moisture can cause skin and urinary infections. Wash her bedding and toys and keep her rear end clean to reduce the chance of reinfection. See our guides to giardia in dogs and bowel incontinence in dogs.

This is general information, not a diagnosis. Please follow your own vet's advice.