Canine Coccidosis - Signs, Symptoms and Treatments

Canine Coccidosis is a protozoal infection that is very common throughout the world and is extremely difficult to eradicate completely. Coccidia are one-celled organisms that live in the intestine and cause severe intestinal disruption and illness, and in dogs the most common form is Isospora canis. Although both cats and dogs can contract coccidiosis they are not susceptible to the species of the other and therefore cross species infection is not possible. Coccidia can also be picked up if they are present in rodents that a dog might find and eat.

It is usually young dogs and newly weaned puppies who are the most vulnerable since their body weight and size is easily compromised by the effect of the protozoa.

These parasites are present in most dogs and usually cause no symptoms at all. They're picked up in the environment where they may be present in the stools of other infected dogs, and the protozoa can live for quite considerable lengths of time even when not inhabiting a host animal.

They are usually termed opportunist in that they become active during a period of stress or where the immune system is compromised and resistance to disease and infection is low. It can often cause outbreaks in environments where there are a large number of dogs such as kennels or rescue shelters and treatment should be given to all dogs in that environment rather than one or two dogs that appear to be infected, and can also occur during stressful travel such as being transported between pet shops or breeders and their new homes.

The protozoa have the ability to multiply rapidly in the intestinal environment and because of their thick cell wall are extremely difficult to eradicate particularly if they embed themselves in the intestinal wall. A mild infection may only be evident in dehydration, a slight watery diarrhoea and occasionally the presence of blood in the faecal matter. However, embedding of the protozoa on a widespread scale in the intestine can lead to rupture of the wall, ulceration and intestinal bleeding which can be diagnosed by the appearance of significant amounts of blood in the stool or diarrhoea, which can be accompanies by vomiting. There may also be severe anaemia. Dehydration is extremely marked, with severe weight loss, anorexia and depression. Without treatment this condition can be fatal.

Diagnosis is confirmed by examination of the stools although it may not always be picked up since the protozoa are microscopic and illness may be attributed to the presence of worms. However once the condition has been identified, dogs with healthy immune systems are likely to recover well and will have developed a level of immunity to any further infection. Those dogs who are immunosuppressed may have a longer recovery time but effective treatment is usually successful.

The most common medication of choice is one of the sulphonamides, and for severely ill dogs they may need to be nursed in the veterinary surgery with intravenous fluids and rest.

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