Canine Coccidia
You noticed that your dog has diarrhea, vomiting, has lost some weight and seems to be in some pain in the abdominal area. You did the right thing and took the dog to the veterinarian. The veterinarian diagnosed the dog with Canine Coccidia, which are microscopic parasites that invade the intestines and are responsible for the dog’s problems.
The veterinarian will instruct the dog owner as to what steps they should take next. The first step will be to isolate the dog from any other dogs, as the parasite will move from one dog to another, creating a bigger problem for the dog owner. Next, the veterinarian will prescribe a medication such as Albon, Bactrovet or Tribrissen to be given for ten to fourteen days or until the dog does not show any symptoms of the infection for at least forty-eight hours. If the veterinarian has determined that the dog is dehydrated, a stay in the veterinarian clinic may be in order to rehydrate the dog with intravenous fluids. The veterinarian will usually prescribe that all remaining dogs in the household be put on this treatment as well to prevent them from becoming ill incase they too have Canine Coccidia.
The dog owner will have to clean any area where the infected dog or dogs may have been staying, such as a kennel, with a Clorox solution. Mix eight ounces of Clorox per one gallon of water, and sprayed thoroughly, and then allowed to completely dry before any dogs are allowed to return to the treated area. Any areas that cannot be treated successfully, such as grassy areas, should be isolated for at least a month, allowing the parasites that may be in the area, time to die. All dogs are to be bathed thoroughly, to remove any fecal matter that they may have on them, then they should be rinsed with a quaternary ammonium disinfectant. Be careful when rinsing with this disinfectant; do not get it in their eyes. Rinse the dog thoroughly.
With proper cleanliness, Canine Coccidia can be prevented. Dog owners must keep any and all areas where the dogs are located clean and free from fecal matter. Rodents have also been shown to carry this parasite, making it important that dogs not be allowed to eat any rodent. If dog owners are prudent in keeping there dog areas clean and rodent free, they should not have to worry about this parasitic illness.
