The parasite encysted stage (oocysts) are easy to see and identify in fecal floatation tests and after the first few days, the
number of coccidia seen correlate well with the severity of symptoms the pet is experiencing.
Q: Doctor Mike: Please give me as much information as possible as to the cause and treatment
of coccidia in puppies.
Isospora felis and Isospora rivolta are the most common species
of coccidia found in cats.
Other symptomatic care may be the use of antiemetics to help prevent against vomiting, but the mainstay of treatment should be the
treatment of the coccidia and ensuring that Oreo remains sufficiently hydrated.
The number
of coccidia seen correlate well with the severity of symptoms the pet is experiencing.
As the puppy matures it tends to develop a natural immunity to the
effects of coccidia if the immune system is kept strong.
Puppies generally show
symptoms of coccidia soon after becoming infected, due to their weaker immune systems.
Medicines exist for some of these infections and, in the
case of coccidia, can even be taken prophylactically,» says Hinney.
In other cases, a puppy or kitten becomes infected with coccidiosis, produces lots of
oocysts of coccidia but never has clinical signs of disease such as diarrhea, loss of appetite, vomiting or failure to thrive.
There are several different
groups of coccidia that can infect your dog, but the most common type is the group Isospora.
Getting the runs is usually a symptom of something gone awry in your puppy's intestines and could be a
sign of coccidia, a parasite that commonly infects puppies and kittens.
Substituting cottage cheese for Winston's regular food for a day or two will give him a tasty treat that is easy on the tummy, and it may actually help him get
rid of coccidia.
Experienced veterinarians and technicians can easily recognize these eggs and can often determine the species
of coccidia causing the infection.
It is not uncommon for a seemly healthy puppy to arrive at its new home only to develop diarrhea several days later leading to the
diagnosis of coccidia.
During another bout, the dogs had been noted to be nibbling on rabbit droppings in the back yard and stool at this time showed «a strange
strain of coccidia,» which my vet thought might have been caused from the rabbit droppings.
These severe side
effects of coccidia are most common in puppies and adult dogs suffering from other illnesses.
While diarrhea is a major
symptom of coccidia, unfortunately it is also a common component in several other diseases that can also present themselves in puppies.
It should be noted that small
numbers of coccidia can be hard to detect so just because a fecal sample tests negative, this does not mean that the pet is not infected.
There are many species
of coccidia, but all are thought to be species - specific.
Small numbers
of coccidia can be hard to detect, so just because a fecal sample tests negative, this doesn't mean the pet isn't infected.
Isospora canis, Isospora ohioenis, Isospora burrowsi and Isospora neorivolta are the most commonly encountered species
of coccidia that effects dogs.