[MyPemCharlie]

I don't think any of us who take our dogs to parks, pet supply stores, shows, walking around the neighborhood...essentially any place where there are other dogs...can ever totally prevent exposure to Giardia. It's too prevalent and too contagious. Most dogs who show clinical signs of the disease will always remain a carrier of Giardia and pass it to other dogs. Flare-ups are much less prevalent in adult dogs once their immune system is strong.

There is a giardia vaccine on the market now, but I think it requires annual boosters. The Safe-Guard 4-in-1 product recommends treating an adult dog every 6 months...and that product cost I would expect to be much less than a veterinarian vaccine (and maybe safer), or vet's prescription for Flagyl (potential side-effects) or Panacur (same active ingredient as the over the counter Safe-Guard).

Anyway, Giardia is a very nasty little bug, but most cases are easily treatable.