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Name
Coccidiosis, Canine and Feline
Short Description
Isospora spp., Isospora canis, Isospora felis
Coccidiosis is an infection of microscopic
parasites called coccidia that invade the intestines of dogs and
cats. The most common type of coccidia in dogs is Isospora canis,
while cats are most frequently affected by Isospora felis.
Coccidiosis usually is not a great threat to a healthy dog or cat,
but animals that are debilitated or immunocompromised can become
very ill from a coccidia infection. Puppies and kittens also are
much more susceptible to severe coccidiosis.
Animals that are affected by a coccidia infection may experience
intestinal problems such as watery diarrhea that can be severe,
vomiting and dehydration. Death may result in severe cases. However,
antibiotics have been successful at decreasing the presence of the
parasites and restoring the animal's health.
Clinical Signs: Clinical signs can include watery diarrhea that
is severe, weight loss, dehydration, anorexia or a decreased or
absent appetite, vomiting, abdominal pain, anemia, mental
depression, and death.
Symptoms:
See Clinical Signs.
Description: Coccidia are microscopic parasites
that commonly infect the intestines of dogs and cats. Although most
often, Isospora canis and Isospora felis forms of the parasite
infect dogs and cats, respectively, Cryptospordium and Toxoplasma
forms of coccidia may also infect these and other animals. In
addition, these less commonly found parasites are zoonotic, meaning
that they can be transmitted to humans.
Coccidiosis rarely affects a healthy dog or cat significantly, but
it can lead to gastrointestinal problems and death in debilitated or
immunocompromised adult animals. Puppies and kittens also are at
risk for serious infection.
Diagnosis: To diagnose coccidiosis, the examining
veterinarian or veterinary technician will perform a fecal flotation
examination in which a stool sample is evaluated under a microscope
for the presence of parasites. Coccidia may be difficult to detect
because these parasites are much smaller than the eggs passed from
worms and thus can be easily overlooked.
Prognosis: The prognosis for an animal that has a healthy,
strong immune system is good. For puppies and kittens and older
animals that have a weak immune system, the prognosis is poor
without treatment and death may result. With treatment, however, the
prognosis is good.
Transmission or Cause: Transmission of coccidia begins when the immature
coccidia, or oocysts, are passed in the feces from an infected dog
or cat into the environment, where they can mature and be ingested
by another animal. Transmission also can occur when a dog or cat
eats an animal such as a rodent that has been infected with the
Isospora parasite.
Treatment: Commonly, treatment involves the use of drugs
called sulfonamides, antibiotics that decrease the numbers of
coccidia present. The drug should be given for at least 10 to 14
days. In animals that are dehydrated and sick, intravenous fluid
therapy may be needed.
Prevention: The key to prevention is proper
sanitation to ensure that the environment is free of feces. Once the
Isospora are passed in the feces, they can quickly develop into the
infective stage, so rapid removal of the feces is very important.
Mature oocysts of Isospora are resistant to most cleaning products
and they can survive for months to years in the environment.
However, the use of strong ammonia-containing compounds may be
helpful in disinfection, and steam cleaning also helps kill the
infectious oocysts. Be sure to allow for adequate ventilation while
cleaning the infected areas, as fumes from cleaning products can be
harmful to animals and people.
Dogs and cats should not be permitted to ingest rodents, since
rodents may be carriers of the parasites. The treatment of infected
canine and feline mothers soon after parturition may help prevent
the spread of coccidia to the young.
