The present study was conducted to determine detect the infection rate of Giardiasis
in local canine breeds of Basrah, Iraq. Two hundred and twenty-five (225) fecal
samples were collected from dogs of both sexes from March to October 2016.
Suspected animals either asymptomatic (56.7%) or symptomatic (43.3%) the
suspected dogs show different clinical signs such as diarrhea (6.66%), pasty feces
(13.33%), steatorrhea (8.00%), anorexia (10.66%), emaciation (15.55%) and
vomiting (0.88%). Diagnosis of Giardia spp was done on basis of microscopic
examination which detects Giardia cyst and trophozoite with infection rate (40 %),
moreover, it was confirmed by ELISA technique(Giardia-specific antigen) to detect
(75.55%) was infected with G. lamblia with a high infection rate comparison with
microscopic examination. It had been shown that high infection rate (43.75%) was
detected in March than the lowest in July (34.78%). Moreover infection with Giardia
was found more common at (1 day to 6 months) of age; furthermore, females show
infection rate more males. It has been concluded that giardiasis affected canine of
Basrah city lead to substantial effect, therefore animals must be screened
periodically.