| Coccidia symptoms and treatment |
Coccidia
Intestinal tract infections in puppies are often caused by single cell organisms called coccidia.
What are coccidia?
Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that multiply in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats, most commonly in puppies and kittens less than
six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, other
disease present).
As a puppy ages, he tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult, he may carry coccidia in his intestines, and shed the cyst in
the feces, but experience no ill effects. It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidia. It is not uncommon for a seemingly
healthy puppy to arrive at his new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the puppy has been at the new home for
less than thirteen days, then he had coccidia before he arrived. This is because the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is about thirteen days. If the
puppy has been with his new owner several weeks, then the exposure to coccidia most likely occurred after the animal arrived at the new home.
How are coccidia transmitted?
A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's feces, and if the mother
is shedding the infective cysts in her feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within their intestines. Since young
puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and engulf the young animal's
intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects.
From exposure to the coccidia in feces, to the onset of the illness, is about 13 days. Most puppies who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age
and older. Although most infections result from contamination from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected puppy or kitten is contagious to other
puppies or kittens. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to isolate those infected from those that are not.
What are the symptoms of coccidia?
The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidia is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous
may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances,
die from the disease.
Most infected puppies are in the four to twelve week age group. Because of this, the possibility of coccidia should always be considered when a loose stool
or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis.
What are the risks?
Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most common in animals
who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Coccidia is very contagious, especially among young puppies. Entire kennels may become
contaminated, with puppies of many age groups simultaneously affected.
What is the treatment of coccidia?
Fortunately, coccidia is treatable. Drugs such as Albon have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Albon is a low-dosage, rapidly
absorbed, long-acting sulfonamide, effective for the treatment of coccidia; however, Albon is only available through a prescription. Because these drugs do
not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the
protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms.
How is coccidia prevented or controlled?
Because coccidia is spread by the feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing
needs to be such that food and water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all times.
Sulfa drugs administered orally such as Albon are approved for use in dogs and have been very effective in treating the disease. Many kennel owners try to
prevent the disease through continuous medication. The best strategy to prevent disease is through the reduction and elimination of stress and to
thoroughly treat any infected dogs. Dogs that exhibit signs of coccidia should be isolated to help prevent the contamination of the environment. Also, dogs
should be bathed and sanitized whenever possible to eliminate as many of the organisms as possible in the environment.
The coccidia species in dogs and cats do not infect humans.
Intestinal tract infections in puppies are often caused by single cell organisms called coccidia.
What are coccidia?
Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that multiply in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats, most commonly in puppies and kittens less than
six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, other
disease present).
As a puppy ages, he tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult, he may carry coccidia in his intestines, and shed the cyst in
the feces, but experience no ill effects. It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidia. It is not uncommon for a seemingly
healthy puppy to arrive at his new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the puppy has been at the new home for
less than thirteen days, then he had coccidia before he arrived. This is because the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is about thirteen days. If the
puppy has been with his new owner several weeks, then the exposure to coccidia most likely occurred after the animal arrived at the new home.
How are coccidia transmitted?
A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's feces, and if the mother
is shedding the infective cysts in her feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within their intestines. Since young
puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and engulf the young animal's
intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects.
From exposure to the coccidia in feces, to the onset of the illness, is about 13 days. Most puppies who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age
and older. Although most infections result from contamination from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected puppy or kitten is contagious to other
puppies or kittens. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to isolate those infected from those that are not.
What are the symptoms of coccidia?
The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidia is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous
may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances,
die from the disease.
Most infected puppies are in the four to twelve week age group. Because of this, the possibility of coccidia should always be considered when a loose stool
or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis.
What are the risks?
Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most common in animals
who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Coccidia is very contagious, especially among young puppies. Entire kennels may become
contaminated, with puppies of many age groups simultaneously affected.
What is the treatment of coccidia?
Fortunately, coccidia is treatable. Drugs such as Albon have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Albon is a low-dosage, rapidly
absorbed, long-acting sulfonamide, effective for the treatment of coccidia; however, Albon is only available through a prescription. Because these drugs do
not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the
protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms.
How is coccidia prevented or controlled?
Because coccidia is spread by the feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing
needs to be such that food and water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all times.
Sulfa drugs administered orally such as Albon are approved for use in dogs and have been very effective in treating the disease. Many kennel owners try to
prevent the disease through continuous medication. The best strategy to prevent disease is through the reduction and elimination of stress and to
thoroughly treat any infected dogs. Dogs that exhibit signs of coccidia should be isolated to help prevent the contamination of the environment. Also, dogs
should be bathed and sanitized whenever possible to eliminate as many of the organisms as possible in the environment.
The coccidia species in dogs and cats do not infect humans.
| Coccidia information below from of Lambriar Vet Supply and treatment information as well. |
The most common treatment fo r coccidia is sulfadimethoxine drug such as Albon®, Bactrovet®, or Tribrissen®. Your vet will
typically prescribe Albon and for one or two pets that is cost effective. If you have a kennel of dogs Albon is not cost effective
and a lot of breeders treat for coccidia even if there are no symptoms in pups. Treatment as a precautionary measure is very
common especially in areas with a lot of rain.
I personally use Sulfadimethoxine 12.5%, 1 Gallon purchased from Lambriar Vet Supply. The taste of Sulfadimethoxine is
unpleasent so I mix the solution with Dyne High Calorie Supplement, which is a liquid nutritional supplement, from Lambriar
Vet Supply. I buy the one-gallon size jug for $35.10 each (price current as of 06-22-07). This product is formulated to provide
a nutrient dense liquid diet with essential vitamins and has a high caloric value. This product expedites the rate of recovery of
weak or sick animals. It also may be fed as is or diluted with milk for animals unable to eat solid foods.
Then what I do next is I mix 5 ounces of Dyne High Calorie Supplement with 4 ounces of the Sulfadimethoxine 12 1/2%
solution described above. Mixing will give a palatable mixture of the 5% Albon (Rx) at a 85% or higher savings without the
required prescription an cost of a Vet visit. You could pay $70 per pint for the 5% Albon (Rx) solution from your vet's office.
Dogs should receive 1 teaspoonful of this 5% Albon Oral Suspension mixture per 10 lb of body weight (25 mg/lb or 55 mg/kg)
as an initial dose, followed by ½ teaspoonful per 10 lb of body weight (12.5 mg/lb or 27.5 mg/kg) every 24 hours thereafter.
You will need to give this dose for 10 days. If a dog starts to feel better continue giving the solution for the whole 10 days or
the medication will not be effective.
typically prescribe Albon and for one or two pets that is cost effective. If you have a kennel of dogs Albon is not cost effective
and a lot of breeders treat for coccidia even if there are no symptoms in pups. Treatment as a precautionary measure is very
common especially in areas with a lot of rain.
I personally use Sulfadimethoxine 12.5%, 1 Gallon purchased from Lambriar Vet Supply. The taste of Sulfadimethoxine is
unpleasent so I mix the solution with Dyne High Calorie Supplement, which is a liquid nutritional supplement, from Lambriar
Vet Supply. I buy the one-gallon size jug for $35.10 each (price current as of 06-22-07). This product is formulated to provide
a nutrient dense liquid diet with essential vitamins and has a high caloric value. This product expedites the rate of recovery of
weak or sick animals. It also may be fed as is or diluted with milk for animals unable to eat solid foods.
Then what I do next is I mix 5 ounces of Dyne High Calorie Supplement with 4 ounces of the Sulfadimethoxine 12 1/2%
solution described above. Mixing will give a palatable mixture of the 5% Albon (Rx) at a 85% or higher savings without the
required prescription an cost of a Vet visit. You could pay $70 per pint for the 5% Albon (Rx) solution from your vet's office.
Dogs should receive 1 teaspoonful of this 5% Albon Oral Suspension mixture per 10 lb of body weight (25 mg/lb or 55 mg/kg)
as an initial dose, followed by ½ teaspoonful per 10 lb of body weight (12.5 mg/lb or 27.5 mg/kg) every 24 hours thereafter.
You will need to give this dose for 10 days. If a dog starts to feel better continue giving the solution for the whole 10 days or
the medication will not be effective.
This is how I would treat coccida and I am not a veterinarian. Consult your vet
before using any new medications on your dog. Do not use on any other pets.
before using any new medications on your dog. Do not use on any other pets.
