While coccidia can infect a wide variety of animals, including humans, birds, and livestock, they are usually species-specific. One well-known exception is toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii.
Can other animals get coccidiosis?
Sporulated oocysts are infectious for other mammals, such as mice, as well. If a cat swallows the oocysts, they mature in the cat's intestine to complete the life cycle. If a mouse swallows the oocysts, they encyst in the mouse's organs, and a cat may become infected by eating the infected mouse.
Do all animals have coccidia?
In general, for most species of farm animals, the infection rate is high and rate of clinical disease is low (5%–10%), although up to 80% of animals in a high-risk group may show clinical signs. Most animals acquire Eimeria or Isospora infections of varying severity when between 1 mo and 1 yr old.
Can my other cats get coccidia?
Is coccidia in cats contagious to humans or other pets? Coccidia can infect cats, dogs, and even humans. Fortunately, host animals are usually affected by different species of coccidia, which means that spreading the infection between different species (e.g. from cat to dog) is highly unlikely.
Can coccidia be passed from dog to cat?
A dog infected with coccidia cannot pass the infection to cats and vice versa. Coccidial infections in dogs occur only by swallowing the coccidia in soil or dog feces.
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