Coccidia In Kittens
Kittens and older cats that are stressed or have a weak immune system are more likely to be affected by coccidia 1 2.
Coccidia in kittens. We do recommend ponazuril as the preferred treatment of coccidia in kittens in a shelter. Mama cats may become infected with coccidiosis by eating a mouse already infected with the protozoa or through exposure to coccidiosis in the environment. Isospora felis and isospora rivolta are the most common species of coccidia in cats. In addition a bland diet for a few days helps to nurse the gut along and allow things to settle down.
Because coccidia live in the intestinal tract and can cause diarrhea they are often confused with intestinal worms but coccidia are not worms. Adult cats generally do not develop symptoms of coccidiosis infection and often clear the protozoa on their own. Coccidia are small protozoans one celled organisms that multiply in the intestinal tracts of cats and dogs most commonly in kittens and puppies less than six months of age in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed or in animals who are stressed in other ways e g. It is a single celled organism and while it isn t a worm or an egg it is still a type of intestinal parasite there are many different species of coccidia but two species of coccidia are most common in cats isospora felis and isospora rivolta.
What is coccidia in cats. Coccidiosis is an intestinal tract infection caused by a one celled organism a protozoa called coccidia. Happily there is a coccidia treatment for cats available. Kittens generally become infected with coccidiosis by ingesting minute amounts of their mother s feces which can sometimes occur while nursing.
Change in ownership other disease present. Coccidia is a protozoan that infects the intestinal tract of cats and other species and causes coccidiosis. Being in an environment with other infected animals is the most common cause of this infection. Bloody diarrhea and an.
Coccidia treatment for cats. A fecal examination is. Causes of coccidia in cats direct contact with infected feces hunting and eating rodents that contain protozoa in its resting stages ingesting contaminated soil. The primary symptom of a coccidial infection is watery mucous like diarrhea.
Risk factors for coccidiosis include age young kittens at least 2 weeks of age but typically less than 6 months 1 stress always a challenge in a shelter and coinfection with other parasites. Coccidia can easily be treated with a five day course of a particular antibiotic. Coccidia are a group of single celled protozoa found within the intestinal lining of kittens and cats. Coccidiosis in cats symptoms and types.
Coccidia are a group of microscopic parasites that can cause a disease called coccidiosis in kittens and cats.