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Coccidia Oocyst of Isospora the most common species of Coccidia found in dogs and cats Coccidia are microscopic parasites that are detectable during routine fecal floatations in the same way that worms are, but coccidia are not worms. They are single celled organisms that infect the intestines of their host. An infection can cause watery diarrhea that can be bloody and can be a life threatening problem in young or small pets. Transmission of coccidia comes from fecal contaminated ground. Oocyst, are passed in the stool when an infected animal has a bowel movement. These oocysts then begin to mature. When they have matured enough they become infective to any dog or cat that swallows them. Pets are often infected during the grooming process when they ingest some of the infected dirt while licking it off themselves. Mice can also ingest these oocysts, these mice can infected the host when consumed. Coccidia is most common in young pets especially when they have been kept in groups (in shelters, kennels, breeding facilities, etc.) Coccidia is a common parasite and is not necessarily a sign of poor conditions. Coccidia effects the pet by attacking intestinal cells of the animal. The oocyst destroys intestinal cells as sporozoites (the mature organisms within the oocyst) reproduce and infect the intestine. As more intestinal cells are destroyed the function of the intestine is disrupted cause watery and bloody stool. The main concern for young pets is dehydration caused by fluid loss. The medication that is generally used is called Albon. This medication is called a coccidiostat. It is actually an antibiotic that stops the coccidial reproduction. This gives the patient’s immune system a chance to catch up and wipe out the infection. The treatment period depends on the amount of the organisms as well as the patient’s immune system. The normal course of the medication is 7-14 days. This antibiotic is in the sulfa family of medications and should not be used during pregnancy because of the possibility of birth defects. There is also another medication that is sometimes used called ponazuril this medication is typically given once daily for 3 days to treat coccidia. Some species of coccidia can infect people but the isospora species of dogs and cats is not one of them. It can be infective to other pets through exposure to infected fecal matter. It is important to remember that coccidia is mainly an infection of young animals due to their immature immune system. In most cases and infected puppy or kitten does not infect an adult pet with in the home.