Testing our Maine Coons for Parasites?

by Connie
(Michigan)

I am a little stressed on what to do about my Vet choice.

We have our 14 month old Nala & her little brother Gunny (same parents).

Gunny was going through his normal kitty check up & was tested for parasites. they found Giardia in him.

At first the vet didn't say anything about testing or treating his sister. They share a litter box. After conversation with the vet, I mentioned if I should have her tested.

She said oh yes probably should, like an after thought. I wasn't comfortable about having to suggest that myself. (When we were gifted our Nala she was 10 months old then, 6 weeks later we bought her little brother we were told of a vet that works with Maine Coons specifically).

I was concerned about how the vet responded. So I decided to talk with my old vet's office and brought a stool sample to the vet we had previously for our domestic kitties. I asked about testing their stool.

They did and said it came back negative. I asked if they checked for Giardia and they said no. Is it normal not to check for that particular parasite or do vets only check that in Maine Coons?

Am I missing something else they should be checked for? They tested for that, it came back positive.

I am getting different feed back on how to clean my home, my kitties etc with these parasites.

They are on the med that the 1st vet suggested. The 1st vet gave me this entire procedure on cleaning the kitties, and sterilizing my house, bleach the floors, etc.

I seriously don't know what to do about how to "sterilize" my house from these parasites with carpeting & furniture.

The 2nd vet said oh if everything is dry the parasites just die. Don't be so worried they are still just cats. Okay, these are my new babies.

I'm so stressed I can't sleep thinking about them being hurt or damaged from improper care on my part.

I clean their litter box twice a day. I don't know if I should stay with my first vet. Please help with any suggestions on what I should do? Thank you.