Coccidia in Cats
Coccidia in Cats - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost
What is Coccidia?
Most cats will come in contact with coccidia sometime in their life. The majority of adult cats are immune to the infectious disease that coccidia can cause, called “coccidiosis”. Kittens under six months of age and cats suffering from conditions that hinder their immune system may contract coccidiosis. This rare infection can cause serious effects and, in extreme cases, may even be fatal. Kittens who are infected with coccidiosis are contagious and can infect the rest of the litter. The most common parasite to cause coccidiosis in cats is Isospora  felis. Veterinary attention is needed to ease symptoms and rid the cat of the parasitic infestation.
Coccidia are a group of single-celled parasites called “protozoa”. Cats are susceptible to infection from a number of these parasites, including Isospora, Toxoplasma, Sarcocystis, Besnoitia and Hammondia. Coccidia lodge in the intestinal wall and form cysts. Some of these protozoa require more than one host to complete their development. Once inside the body, it can take up to two weeks for the parasites to mature and begin to reproduce. Coccidia are found throughout the world.
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Average Cost
$250
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Symptoms of Coccidia in Cats
Kittens may start to show symptoms of coccidiosis from the ages of two weeks to six months. The stress of the weaning process can leave a kitten vulnerable to developing a parasitic infection. Signs to watch for are as follows:
  • Watery diarrhea (may contain blood)
  • Vomiting
  • Anorexia
  • Weight loss
  • Dehydration
  • Abdominal pain
  • Uveitis (inflammation of the uvea)
Causes of Coccidia in Cats
To become infected with coccidia, a cat must come into direct contact with the parasite. Kittens are often exposed to the protozoa from their mother's feces (as adult cats often contain the parasites without showing any symptoms). All known causes of parasite exposure are listed below.
  • Direct contact with infected feces
  • Hunting and eating rodents that contain protozoa in its resting stages
  • Ingesting contaminated soil
Susceptibility is increased in cats with immune deficiencies or who are experiencing stress.
Diagnosis of Coccidia in Cats
If your cat or kitten begins to exhibit any of the symptoms of coccidiosis, bring it to a veterinary clinic or animal hospital immediately. Be prepared to provide the cat's full medical history, especially if it is an adult cat with immune system issues. The veterinarian will perform a complete physical examination of the cat, watching for known signs of coccidiosis. 
The most common way to diagnose a parasitic infection in a cat is by taking a sample of the cat's feces and sending it for microscopic examination. During this examination, larval or adult coccidia may be identified. As these protozoa are exceptionally small, if a microscopic examination comes back negative, there is no guarantee that your cat or kitten is not infected. Blood work will be run, including a complete blood count and a biochemical profile to assess the cat's overall condition. Certain parasites may also be identified via blood smears. If the infected cat is an adult, feline viruses that negatively affect the immune system, such as feline immunodeficiency virus and feline leukemia virus, should be tested for. 
Treatment of Coccidia in Cats
In some kittens or adult cats, coccidiosis may spontaneously go away on its own. In severe cases, both symptomatic and causative treatments may be needed.
Antibiotics 
A course of antibiotics such as Sulfadimethoxine, Trimethoprim-Sulfonamide or Amprolium can stop the coccidia from reproducing. Up to two weeks of oral administration is needed.
Supportive Care 
If the infected cat has become severely dehydrated, hospitalization and intravenous fluids may be needed to stabilize its condition. 
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Recovery of Coccidia in Cats
Be sure to isolate your adult cat or kitten from other cats during antibiotic treatment. Reinfection can easily happen, so extra sanitation measures should be taken. Clean all litter boxes at least once a day. Most coccidia need at least 24 hours outside of a host to infect another animal, so removing feces from the litter daily can prevent the parasites from re-entering your cat. Disinfect the litter boxes weekly using hot water and bleach. 
Take extra care when monitoring the health of kittens to identify cases of coccidiosis before the infection has progressed too far. Test any pregnant cats for protozoa so that kittens may be treated after birth. Most coccidia can not spread to humans. The most common coccidia, I. felis poses no threat to owners. Infections of Toxoplasma or Cryptosporidium may present a small risk to pregnant women and any human who has a suppressed immune system.
Coccidia Average Cost
From 509 quotes ranging from $200 - $500
Average Cost
$250
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Coccidia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
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Cat
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Seven Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Watery diarrhoea, still eating and playful but watery diarrhoea with foul smell
Sept. 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails. I hope that your pet is feeling better. If they are still having problems, It would be best to have your pet seen by a veterinarian, as they can examine them, see what might be going on, and get any testing or treatment taken care of that might be needed.
Oct. 23, 2020
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DOMESTIC
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Kittens name is Sasha other adult cats names are Ivan and Vera
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8 Weeks
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7 found this helpful

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7 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
None
I just got a kitten from Petco and she was diagnosed with coccidia . I have 2 other adult cat in the house hold . They have been using the same litter box . I do clean out my litter boxes at least once daily . What are the chances that my adult cat have gotten coccidia ? My problem is that I can't afford to take them both to the vet right now . Is there anything that I can get at the store or on line to treat them ?
Aug. 19, 2018
7 Recommendations
Many older cats are asymptomatic (don’t show symptoms) and treatment is debated since Coccidiosis may be self limiting; treatment of cats is down to your Veterinarian and if your kitten has been diagnosed you should discuss with your Veterinarian. The article below covers Coccidiosis is in dogs and cats and will give you a better idea. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM www.msdvetmanual.com/digestive-system/coccidiosis/coccidiosis-of-cats-and-dogs
Aug. 19, 2018
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Persian
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Tinkerbell
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4 Years
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7 found this helpful

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7 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Blood In Stool
We just sold a 10-week old kitten to a lady who said that when she took the kitten to her vet, she tested positive for coccidia. We have never had this in our cattery before, but now I am worried that we seem to have it. The vet told her it is passed from the mother cat to the kitten. Is this true? She really showed no signs or symptoms other than I noticed she wasn't gaining weight as fast as I thought she should. She seemed to have a good appetite. Her stools seemed good. As a result, should I have all of the cats tested for this? I have a pregnant cat, and she has had at times, blood in her stool. Is it okay to treat her for coccidia if she tests positive and is also pregnant? Her stools appear hard at times, but she is an excellent water drinker.
Aug. 6, 2018
7 Recommendations
Kittens are not born with Coccidia but may pick it up through contact with the mother’s faeces or from contaminated skin (with faecal matter); you should get the mother at a minimum tested by your Veterinarian and not to allow any other kittens to leave until some faecal samples have been checked and your cats have been treated and the environment cleaned too. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 6, 2018
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American Short Hair
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Coco & Mouse
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4 Months
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6 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Lethargy, Tremors
My kittens were just tested (fecal test) and diagnosed with coccidia. They have been very lethargic and sometimes their legs appear to tremble when standing. They will occasionally get up to play when I engage them in play but they quickly lay down & put their heads down like they are exhausted. Could this behavior be a result of the coccidia infection? My vet is ordering Albon for me to treat them.
July 24, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
6 Recommendations
If the kittens had a heavy infestation, it can take a lot out of them. Kittens can also have other problems, however, and if you had them examined recently, it would be a good idea to let your veterinarian know that they are not energetic and make sure that they are okay otherwise.
July 25, 2018
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Short hair domestic
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Leila
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16 Months
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7 found this helpful

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Infection
I just got a new rescued kitty and was told she had this infection coccidiosis and she is on 10 days of the antibiotics albon she is almost finished with the medicine, do I bring her back to the vet to see if the infection is gone? The rescue place didn't say what I should do, well they didn't even tell me until I was walking out the door with new kitty.
July 14, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
7 Recommendations
It would be a good idea to have a fecal test done with a veterinarian once the medications are finished to make sure that the Coccidia is gone, yes. I hope that everything goes well for Leila.
July 14, 2018
Thank you, I'm noticing that she is sneezing alot is that from the parasite?
July 14, 2018
Leila's Owner
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Simese
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Snowy Chinchilla
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7 Weeks
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Mucus
No Energy
Lack Of Thist
I found a 6 week old kitten, took him to the vet. Turned out it had coccidia, gave him medicine for a week straight and he was eating and drinking fluids and on the 7th day he passed. If your kittens tummy is big, and has ring patches on his fur, it’s most likely coccidia/ringworm. If you cat has constant diarrhea clean it’s litter every day. My heart is completely crushed. I’ve been wanting a cat for years but because of my husband allergies I wasn’t able to. He just finished his allergy treatment, and I found Snowy Chinchilla on our anniversary. I thought it was a miracle. I wished I could of done more but it’s an awful parasite! If your kitten has this keep him isolated, it’s lethal especially to kittens.
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Kitten
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Marble
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2 Months
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Worms In Stool
On Wednesday I got a new kitten in the afternoon at 2pm I came home took her a quick bath because she had fleas i took her a bath with dawn soap. And the whole afternoon till night she had been walking around the house and she would lay on her bed that I got her aNd she would sleep there but at night before going to bed I put her in her cage the next morning I caught her pooping and that's when I notice she had worms on her stool I got dress and took to the vet she told.me that she has 2 type of parasites tapeworms and coccidia. They gave her medicine a shot and a oral one and vitamins I came back home and place her in a pet play pen to keep her away from the kids and to make sure she get better. They gave me an extra medicine to give her the next day and I did but I'm so paranoid of insects, parasities etc. I was reading alot of coccidia and it says the house can get contaminated when I got back to the house after the vet. I clean the whole house immediately with bleach all the floors move everything around. I have to take her back to the vet in 10 days. I'm just worried about it spreading because of my kids I even threw away the bed she was sleeping in Should I be more precaution?? I know when I take her back to the vet im going to ask them to re check her
Coccidia Average Cost
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Average Cost
$250
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