**This video is for entertainment and educational purposes only. If your pet is sick, take them to see your local veterinarian for the care they need** (Disclaimer)
Good Morning Everyone!
My name is Dan, and I am a veterinarian. Today I am going to cover Coccidia infections in the dog and cat. Dog coccidia infections are very common in puppies and dogs that are immunocompromised. Cats can also get coccidia infections, but it is not as common.
Coccidia is a single celled organism that infects a dogs intestinal lining. The dog or cat will get coccidia by eating poop that has coccidia eggs in it. Once the dog or cat eats the eggs, the coccidia will infect the intestinal lining of the dog or cat.
Dogs and cats can have a number of different symptoms from a coccidia infection, but the most common symptoms include: Diarrhea, vomiting, intestinal pain or excessive gas production. Blood diarrhea is common too, because the coccidia causes trauma to the intestinal lining. The intestines are highly vascular, so an parasites like coccidia can make them bleed.
A pet owner should always go to the veterinarian to get the coccidia diagnosed. Coccidia is diagnosed with a fecal or poop sample. I know you guys get tired of hearing this from me, but this is the best way to diagnose coccidia.
Once a coccidia diagnosis is made, the veterinarian has a couple different drugs to pick from. In most cases the medication works very well to resolve a coccidia infection.
Last but not least...It is really important to do a deep cleaning of the dog or cat's environment. Coccidia can re-infect a dog or cat via the fecal oral route. I know, gross. Because dogs and cats explore their world with their nose and mouth, coccidia re-infection is common. Do your best to get the environment clean!
