Coccidiosis is seen universally, most commonly in young animals housed or confined in small areas contaminated with oocysts. Coccidia are opportunistic pathogens; if pathogenic, their virulence may be influenced by various stressors.
Is coccidiosis in the ground?
Since it is transmitted through fecal matter, a yard can become a breeding ground for coccidia. Removing fecal matter from the yard and then preventing your animals from using it for at least 30 days is recommended.
What animals carry coccidia?
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. Humans may first encounter coccidia when they acquire a dog, cat or bird that is infected.
How do you get coccidiosis?
Coccidia oocysts are ingested by animals when they consume contaminated feed, water, pastures or lick a dirty hair coat. If ingested, the parasite can develop inside the host animal, causing damage to intestinal cells and potentially resulting in the host animal having diarrhea and blood in the feces.
How do you know you have coccidia?
Coccidiosis is usually diagnosed by performing a fecal flotation test to look for oocysts under the microscope. Since the oocysts are much smaller than the eggs of intestinal worms, a careful evaluation must be made. Detection is made easier when a zinc sulfate flotation solution is used.
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