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Symptoms
of coccidiosis
The most obvious symptom of coccidiosis is diarrhea. It may vary
form mild to severe depending on the level of infection. In
severe cases, there may be blood and mucous. Some severely
affected animals may vomit. They are likely to show signs of
loss of appetite and dehydration. It is fatal in certain cases
leading to death.
What are the risk factors involved
with coccidiosis ?
Coccidiosis is very contagious. It is advisable to isolate the
infected puppies in shelters and animal hospitals otherwise
there is a risk of entire kennels and catteries getting affected
with coccidiosis. In severe cases coccidiosis may lead to bloody
diarrhea, dehydration and death.
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Treatment of coccidiosis
The most commonly administered drugs for coccidiosis are
sulfadimethoxine (Albon), trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen)
and amprolium (Corid). Sulfas, antibiotics for secondary
bacterial infections, and the therapeutic dose of amprolium are
also prescribed. Products available for mass medication are also
available. They have been proved quite effective in the
treatment and prevention of coccidia. Usually the drugs are
administered for five or more days. The drugs do not kill the
organisms but only stops the reproduction and spread of coccidia.
By preventing the rapid spread of coccidia, the young animals
get time to develop their immunity and fight coccidiosis.
The affected animals should be isolated from other animals.
Medication and diet should be given as prescribed by the doctor.
If the animal shows new signs, refuses to eat or has
uncontrollable diarrhea, then the doctor should be informed.
Treatment and prevention are most effective when started early.
Prevention of coccidiosis
Coccidiosis is spread by the feces of carrier animals. So it is
important to practice sanitation. Feces should be removed twice
daily. Housing, bedding and food pans should be cleaned. Ensure
that clean water is provided. The best way to kill coccidia is
incineration of fecas, steam cleaning or immersion in boiling
water or ammonia solution. This is because the common
disinfectants do not work against coccidia. Insect and rodent
control is important because they mechanically carry cocidia
from one place to another. Sick animals should be separated form
the healthy ones. Their stress should be minimized as possible.
Mass treatment or pen medication is effective because other
animals are likely to be affected.
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