Pet Health Risks
Health Risk -- Coccidia
When you adopt a pet from a shelter or kennel environment, there is a chance it may have coccidia or be a carrier.
What is coccidia? Coccidia is a protozoa, a free-living microscopic organism that infects the intestinal tract of dogs and cats.
How easy is the diagnosis? Most often a simple stool sample checked under a microscope will confirm the infection.
What are the symptoms of coccidia? Most common are diarrhea with mucus or blood in it. Your pet may also show a loss of appetite.
How do pets get coccidia? Very often the mother gives it to her young. She probably got it from another contami¬nated animal.
Can one pet give it to another pet? Yes, if the pet is in direct contact with the feces of the infected pet, it is possible.
How is it treated? It is easily treated with an antibiotic. However, you should always follow your veterinarian’s advice. Make sure you do a stool check a week after treatment is over. If coccidia shows up in that stool check, the pet would have to be treated again.
How do I prevent reinfection? Clean the bathroom area soon after your pet relieves himself. For any accidents outside the designated area, a bleach and water solution must be sprayed on those spots to prevent re-infestation.
How long will coccidia last? If medication is given consistently, living conditions are kept clean, and the pet is given a high quality food, he should feel better within a few days. Coccidia, is often gone within 10 days.
What if the pet has diarrhea while being treated? It is common for the pet to have diarrhea during the first few days of treatment. It may help to feed all meat baby food mixed with baby rice cereal until the diarrhea is gone.
If you have any question or concerns, please call our office at 978-745-9888.
