WHAT ARE COCCIDIA?
Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that multiply in the
intestinal tracts of dogs, most commonly puppies less than sixmonths of age,
in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are
stressed in other ways (e.g.; change inownership, other disease present).
In dogs, most coccidia are of the genus called Isospora. Isospora canis and I. ohioensis are the
species most often encountered in dogs. Regardless of which species is present, we generally
refer to the disease as coccidiosis. 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.
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 parasitize the
young animal's intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects.
From exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of illness is about 13 days. Most puppies
who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age and older. Although most infections
are the result of spread from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected puppy is
contagious to other puppies. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to
isolate those infected from those that are not.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COCCIDIOSIS?
The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis 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 encountered by the authors are in the four to twelve week age group.
The possibility of coccidiosis 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. Coccidiosis 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 COCCIDIOSIS?
It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. 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. Remember, 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.
Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and
trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of
coccidia. 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 fro the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove
the organisms.
HOW IS COCCIDIOSIS PREVENTED OR CONTROLLED?
Because coccidia is spread by feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict
sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing needs to b e such that food and
water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all
times. Most disinfectants do not work well against coccidia: incineration of the feces, and
steam cleaning, immersion in boiling water, or a 10% ammonia solution are the best methods to
kill coccidia. Coccidia can withstand freezing. Cockroaches and flies can mechanically carry
coccidia from one place to another. Mice and other animals can ingest the coccidia and when
killed and eaten by a dog, for instance, can infect the dog. Therefore, insect an rodent control
is very important in preventing coccidiosis.
The coccidia species of dogs do not infect humans.
Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that multiply in the
intestinal tracts of dogs, most commonly puppies less than sixmonths of age,
in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are
stressed in other ways (e.g.; change inownership, other disease present).
In dogs, most coccidia are of the genus called Isospora. Isospora canis and I. ohioensis are the
species most often encountered in dogs. Regardless of which species is present, we generally
refer to the disease as coccidiosis. 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.
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 parasitize the
young animal's intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects.
From exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of illness is about 13 days. Most puppies
who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age and older. Although most infections
are the result of spread from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected puppy is
contagious to other puppies. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to
isolate those infected from those that are not.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COCCIDIOSIS?
The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis 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 encountered by the authors are in the four to twelve week age group.
The possibility of coccidiosis 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. Coccidiosis 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 COCCIDIOSIS?
It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. 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. Remember, 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.
Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and
trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of
coccidia. 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 fro the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove
the organisms.
HOW IS COCCIDIOSIS PREVENTED OR CONTROLLED?
Because coccidia is spread by feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict
sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing needs to b e such that food and
water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all
times. Most disinfectants do not work well against coccidia: incineration of the feces, and
steam cleaning, immersion in boiling water, or a 10% ammonia solution are the best methods to
kill coccidia. Coccidia can withstand freezing. Cockroaches and flies can mechanically carry
coccidia from one place to another. Mice and other animals can ingest the coccidia and when
killed and eaten by a dog, for instance, can infect the dog. Therefore, insect an rodent control
is very important in preventing coccidiosis.
The coccidia species of dogs do not infect humans.
| This site was created by and is maintained by Belinda Winters for BFH Bassets. If you have any questions or comments email belindawinters@bfhbassets.com |
