Dogs usually contract coccidia orally, by ingesting fecal matter. Fecal material can contaminate food and water sources, introducing the protozoa to canine hosts.
How did my dog get coccidia?
Dogs get coccidia from swallowing infected soil or substances containing dog feces. Removing dog feces from your yard and the dog's environment is the best protection. Your veterinarian can test, and treat if necessary, your dog for coccidia. Puppies should be tested regularly.
How long can coccidia live in feces?
Coccidia do not live for very long outside of the body. They may survive for a week in intact feces, but the parasites will die within a few days on clean surfaces that are exposed to direct sunlight.
Can my dog be around other dogs if he has coccidia?
Coccidia is quite contagious between dogs. Fortunately, though, the protozoa are host-specific. This means that while cats can become infected with other types of coccidia.
How do you clean poop with coccidia?
Be sure to test clean a small area of any affected materials since bleach can damage many surfaces. Steam cleaning may also be used to destroy oocysts. Be sure to remove any feces as quickly as possible from the environment to prevent reinfection.
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