Cabrera, Gloria AzucenaMolina Díaz, Víctor Manuel2017-10-062017-10-0620172256-3342http://hdl.handle.net/10567/1837Objective. To determine the prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in a dog shelter in Caldas, Antioquia, Colombia, and its implications on the health status of the dogs. Materials and methods. 88 dogs were subjected to a full stool test and, subsequently, their health status was assessed by means of a complete clinical examination and a full blood count. Patients were classified in terms of sex, approximate age, racial status, dental registration and physical condition in a 1-5 scale. Also, the stool was evaluated in terms of appearance, color, presence of mucus, fat, vegetable fibers, bacteria and leukocytes, with a standard crosses scale between 0 and 3. Results. The prevalence was 54.54%. 27 females and 21 males were positive, with a rate of infection of 50% and 61.76%, respectively. The average age was 5 years and 99% of them were half blood. There was no association between the presence of the parasite and variables such as fat, starch and vegetable fiber with p <0.05, and same happened concerning the relationship with the full blood count. The protozoan found represents a risk for animal and human health. Conclusion. The study of the dynamics in the transmission of G. duodenalis, based on molecular epidemiology and its association with spotlights or sources of infection, routes of transmission, clinical signs and predisposing factor, is adequate to demonstrate the potential zoonotic impact of giardiasis in canine shelters in Colombia.esCorporación Universitaria LasallistaFacultad de Ciencias Administrativas y AgropecuariasPerros - EnfermedadesMunicipio de Caldas (Antioquia)Parásitos de animales domésticosPerros - Enfermedades y diagnósticoArticle