Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of the intestinal tract of animals caused by coccidian protozoa. The disease spreads from one animal to another by contact with infected feces or ingestion of infected tissue. Diarrhea, which may become bloody in severe cases, is the primary symptom. Most animals infected with coccidia are asymptomatic, but young or immunocompromised animals may suffer severe symptoms and death.

While coccidia can infect a wide variety of animals, including humans, birds, and livestock, they are usually species-specific. One well-known exception is toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii.[1][2]

Humans may first encounter coccidia when they acquire a young puppy or kitten that is infected. Other than T. gondii, the infectious organisms are canine and feline-specific and are not contagious to humans, unlike the zoonotic diseases.

Coccidia in dogs

Puppies are frequently infected with coccidia from the feces of their mother, and are more likely to develop coccidiosis due to their undeveloped immune systems. Stress can trigger symptoms in susceptible animals.[3]

Symptoms in young dogs include diarrhea with mucus and blood, poor appetite, vomiting, and dehydration. Untreated disease can be fatal.

Treatment is routine and effective. Diagnosis is made by low-powered microscopic examination of the feces, which is generally replete with oocysts. Readily available drugs eliminate the protozoa or reduce them enough that the animal's immune system can clear the infection. Permanent damage to the gastrointestinal system is rare, and a dog will usually suffer no long-lasting negative effects.

Coccidia in chickens

Coccidiosis is a significant disease of chickens, especially affecting the young chicks. It can be fatal or leave the bird with compromised digestion. There are chick feed mixes that contain a coccidiostat to manage exposure levels and control disease. In an outbreak, coccidiocidal medications are given. Examples are toltrazuril (Baycox) or amprolium. After multiple infections, surviving chickens become resistant to the coccidia.

Genera and species that cause coccidiosis

The most common medications used to treat coccidian infections are in the sulfonamide antibiotic family.[7][8]

Depending on the pathogen and the condition of the animal, untreated coccidiosis may clear of its own accord, or become severe and damaging, and sometimes cause death.

References

  1. "Parasitology 6 - Phylum Apicomplexa - Coccidia, Eimeria, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, etc.". Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  2. "Coccidiosis". Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  3. "Coccidia Treatment for Puppies". Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  4. "Intestinal Parasites - Coccidia". Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ettinger, S. J.; Feldman, E. C. (1995). Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine (4th ed.). W.B. Saunders Company. ISBN 0-7216-6795-3.
  6. "Protozoal enteritis: Coccidiosis". Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  7. White, G.; et al. "Sulfachinoxalin 4-amino-N-quinoxalin-2-yl- benzenesulfonamide". WikiGenes. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  8. "Sulfaquinoxaline". www.lookfordiagnosis.com. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
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