Coccidia in Dogs

Written By Grace Park
Published: 12/30/2015Updated: 06/15/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon, MVB MRCVS
Coccidia in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Coccidia?

Coccidia is a protozoa passed through the stool. An infected dog will eliminate the feces containing the organism into the environment, where it can survive for up to one year. Once the parasite is consumed by your dog, the oocysts (immature coccidia) found in the stool will make their way to the digestive tract, enter the intestinal lining cells, and reproduce. The cells then rupture, releasing the parasite. The coccidia can reproduce very rapidly, thus causing significant damage to the intestine.

Coccidiosis is the disease caused by the one-celled organism, coccidia. The organism invades and damages the intestinal wall, causing diarrhea which can become life threatening. Coccidiosis does not always show symptoms but will often cause serious complications in puppies (because they have an underdeveloped immune system) and immunosuppressed dogs.
Youtube Play

Coccidia Average Cost

From 367 quotes ranging from $250 - $500

Average Cost

$300

Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background

Symptoms of Coccidia in Dogs

Coccidia can be present in the intestine of your pet and remain asymptomatic. However, once symptoms begin to become evident, your canine family member can become very ill. Take your dog to the clinic without delay if you see any of the following signs.

It should be noted that puppies and dogs with weakened immune systems can eventually die if not treated for coccidiosis.

TIMELINE

The coccidia oocyst develops in 3 to 5 days within the intestine and is capable of passing infection. The communicable offspring multiply rapidly, releasing thousand of oocytes in the stool of an infected dog.

At least four genera of coccidia affect dogs:

  • Isospora canis
  • Isospora neorivolta
  • Isospora ohioensis
  • Isospora burrowsi

Favorable conditions for the coccidia oocyst are moisture, oxygen and a warm enough temperature.

Causes of Coccidia in Dogs

Though some dogs may not show any ill signs from the coccidiosis, oocysts are still being shed in the feces, which will continue the infectious cycle when passed to their canine buddies.

  • Dogs can ingest the coccidia from contaminated soil, and from hunting and eating infected rodents
  • Fecal matter, or food and water that may have been contaminated by fecal matter, will also pass on the oocysts
  • Coccidia is very resistant in the environment, even in freezing conditions
  • Coccidiosis becomes very prevalent in conditions of overcrowding, poor sanitation, and poor nutrition
  • Coccidiosis can be a common occurrence in puppy mills, shelters, and very busy breeding kennels
  • Puppies who are stressed, for example after weaning or leaving the mother, may develop symptoms

Diagnosis of Coccidia in Dogs

The veterinarian will base the diagnosis on the clinical signs seen when your dog arrives at the clinic, as well as on information provided by you. The veterinary team may ask the following questions.

  • What signs have you seen that indicate that your pet is ill?
  • How is his appetite?
  • How long has your dog had diarrhea?
  • Is diarrhea becoming worse?
  • Is there blood present in the stool?
  • Is your dog vomiting?
  • Can you describe his general demeanor of late?

After the physical examination, the veterinarian will test the stool of your pet. Results must be obtained from a sample that is less than 24 hours old, and the freshest sample you can provide is always the best.

A fecal flotation test will be done, whereby the fecal matter is mixed with a solution that causes immature parasites to float to the top. The organisms are then placed on a glass slide and examined under the microscope. The most common form of coccidia organism (Isospora canis) will be easily seen with this diagnostic procedure. 

Puppies and older immunosuppressed dogs may be tested for anemia as this can be a common secondary condition to coccidiosis.

Treatment of Coccidia in Dogs

It should be noted that if you have a multi-dog family, all canine members should be treated, whether symptomatic or not, to prevent further cases of coccidia or recurrence.

If your pet is very ill when he arrives at the clinic, he may need to be admitted in order to stabilize his condition before treatment, particularly if he is dehydrated or the diarrhea is severe.

If your pet is experiencing a milder case of coccidiosis, he can be treated at home, and will be given medication to kill the parasite. Oral medication is known to be very effective. Antibiotics may be prescribed as well. If necessary, antidiarrheal drugs will be given to aid in your furry family member’s recovery.

The veterinarian will ask you to schedule an appointment for two weeks later, in order to retest for the presence of parasites.

Petted logo

Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?

Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.

Get a quote

background

Recovery of Coccidia in Dogs

Complete the full prescription given to your pet, even if he appears to be feeling better. Never stop medication early, unless there are side effects that are worrying you, in which case you will need to contact your veterinary team. A change of medication could be required.

Be certain to return to the clinic for retesting of the stool, to ensure that the coccidia has been eliminated.

At home, isolate your infected dog until you know he is clear of coccidiosis to prevent transmission to other canine family members or friends. Clean up the feces in your yard thoroughly and promptly. Disinfect all crates, water bowls, feeding dishes, floors and bedding. It is a good idea to repeat the cleaning process several times while your pet is recovering from the coccidian infection.

Coccidia Average Cost

From 367 quotes ranging from $250 - $500

Average Cost

$300

arrow-up-icon

Top

Coccidia Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

dog-breed-icon

Golden Retriever

dog-name-icon

Phoenix

dog-age-icon

2 Years

thumbs-up-icon

2 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

2 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Vomiting
Loss Of Appetite
I was wondering if coccidia (or any other illnesses) could cause a false positive on a parvo screening? My two year old golden retriver passed away from an extremely agressive disease that was diagnosed as parvo, but lacked most all other symptoms. We left him with the vet and was told he passed over the weekend (a 48 hr span of when symptoms first appeared) while my four year old black lab also became ill hours after we were told of his brother's passing and we were able to treat him at home with pedialyte and scrambled eggs over a period of four days.

Aug. 22, 2018

2 Recommendations

False positives are rare, but it depends on the type of test done as there are a few methods used to diagnose parvo; however the SNAP parvo test (commonly used test) doesn’t cross react with any other pathogen and doesn’t react in recently vaccinated dogs either. I cannot say whether there was parvo or if the cause of death was due to another cause. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM www.idexx.eu/globalassets/documents/products--solutions/pet-side/snap-parvo/snap-parvo-test-faqs.pdf

Aug. 23, 2018

Was this question and answer helpful?
dog-breed-icon

French Bulldog

dog-name-icon

Mic

dog-age-icon

8 Years

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

thumbs-up-icon

0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Bloody Stool
Bloody Stool Muscus In Stool
Muscus In Stool
Our 8 year old dog started having blood in his stool. At first I thought he was constipated and had tore his anus. The vet diagnosed him with coccidia and has prescribed him a surfer drug. Everything I have read coccidia causes diarrhea. I'm concerned there is something else wrong. He has no other symptoms at all.

Aug. 4, 2018

0 Recommendations

Normally Coccidiosis causes watery/mucus/bloody diarrhoea, however constipation may occur in severe cases when the colon is inflamed but is uncommon; normally Coccidiosis is diagnosed with a faecal test but there may also be another underlying cause, see how treatment goes and return to your Veterinarian if there is no improvement. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM

Aug. 5, 2018

Was this question and answer helpful?

Coccidia Average Cost

From 367 quotes ranging from $250 - $500

Average Cost

$300

Wag Compare logo

Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!

Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.

Get a quote

background
Need pet insurance?
Need pet insurance?

Learn more in the Wag! app

Five starsFive starsFive starsFive starsFive stars

43k+ reviews

Install


© 2024 Wag Labs, Inc. All rights reserved.