Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease that affects canines and humans. It is one of the most prevalent infections second only to giardia. The diseases caused by microscopic protozoal parasites referred to coccidiosis. Mild symptoms may go unnoticed such as mild diarrhea. The causative agent is a protozoan and has the ability to multiply rapidly. This will cause major damage in the intestinal wall. Several stages of multiplications will occur before the final stage, the oocyst is passed in the feces. Oocysts are resistant to environmental stress and difficult to remove from the environment. This will pass on to other dogs/puppies and start a new life cycle and spread to every dog/puppy in the area. I treat all my puppies 10 days before taking them for their Health Check up. You can use a drug with sulfadimethoxine like Albon from your vet which will cost your alot of money or you can buy Sulfadimethoxine 12 1/2% solution(generic Albon) on line from Lambert Vet Supply without a prescription for alot less money. I mix this with Dyne High Calorie Supplement.  Mix the Sulfadimethoxine 12 1/2% with the Dyne High Calorie Supplement will be the same as the 5% Albon solution you would get from your vet. Mix 5 ozs of Dyne High Calorie Supplement and 4 ozs of Sulfadimethoxine 12 1/2%.  You will give 1 teaspoonful per 10lbs of body weight as initial dose and follow by 1/2 teaspoons of per 10lbs of body weight every 24 hours for a total of 10 days. You may give this in the food or given to each puppy by mouth.

A healthy dog may have been infected for years before any symptoms will show. They only way to know is by the numbers of oocysts in the stools. Your vet can run a test to check. I say just treat for both coccidiosis with the mix of sulfadimethoxine(Albon) and at the same time treat giardiasis with Fenbendazole(Safe-Guard).

How to eliminate coccidia?

Identification, isolation and treatment of infected dogs/puppies.

Treatment

Clean and keep kennel areas clean with 8 ozs of bleach to one gallon of water. Leave for 20 minutes  then wash off with water and let dry before letting dogs/pups back in the area. Do not let any new dogs/pups in the area for a month. Always keep the area clean and make sure you clean their water and food dish. 

Always talk with your vet and ask for their advise to make sure your dogs/pups are in the best health. A good vet will tell you that the above info will be the best care for your dog/pup.