Coccidia is one of the most prevalent protozoal infections in North America second only to Giardia. The disease is caused by microscopic protozoal parasites and can range in severity depending on the strain. Genus Isospora is the most common cause of intestinal coccidiosis in dogs and cats and is usually what is meant by coccidiosis. Species of Isospora are species specific, meaning they only infect one type of species. Species that infect dogs include I. canis, I. ohioensis, I. burrowsi, and I. neorivolta. Species that infect cats include I. felis and I. rivolta.

People often first encounter coccidia when they acquire a young puppy or kitten who is infected. Your pet can become infected by eating infected soil or licking contaminated paws or fur. Coccidia can be found in surface water such as flooded paddocks or stagnant pools of water. Once swallowed, the parasites damage the lining of the intestine and your pet cannot absorb nutrients from its food. Symptoms include watery diarrhea with mucus and blood, weight loss, and rapid dehydration. Young pets are most often infected because their immune systems may not yet be strong enough to fight off the parasite. Coccidia can be very contagious among young puppies and kittens, so households with multiple pets should be especially careful to practice good hygiene and sanitation.

Fortunately, the treatment is inexpensive, extremely effective, and routine. A veterinarian can easily diagnose the disease through microscopic examination of an affected animal’s feces. One of many easily administered and inexpensive drugs will be prescribed, and, in the course of just a few days, an infection will be eliminated or perhaps reduced to such a level that the animal’s immune system can make its own progress against the infection. Even when an infection has progressed sufficiently that blood is present in feces, permanent damage to the gastrointestinal system is rare, and the pet will most likely make a complete recovery without long-lasting negative effects.

Lakeside Veterinary clinic assumes no liability for injury to you or your pet incurred by following these descriptions or procedures.