Severe Coccidia In Kittens
W while commonly treated with a prescription antibiotic it can be quite difficult to completely eliminate coccidia from indoor or outdoor environments that have been contaminated with the eggs oocysts.
Severe coccidia in kittens. Infections occur in adult cats and kittens but are much more likely to cause serious disease watery or bloody diarrhea in kittens. Severe infections especially in kittens can kill them. Causes of coccidia in cats to become infected with coccidia a cat must come into direct contact with the parasite. Coccidia are small protozoans one celled organisms that multiply in the intestinal tracts of cats and dogs most commonly in kittens and puppies less than six months of age in adult animals whose immune systemis suppressed or in animals who are stressed in other ways e g.
Coccidiosis is a parasitic type of infection caused by the coccidia parasite. They are microscopic parasites that live within the cells that line the intestine. All known causes of parasite exposure are listed below. Coccidia are a group of single celled protozoa found within the intestinal lining of kittens and cats.
It most commonly causes watery mucus based diarrhea in animals. Coccidia are a group of microscopic parasites that can cause a disease called coccidiosis in kittens and cats. They re microscopic parasites that live within the cells that line the intestines. Kittens and older cats that are stressed or have a weak immune system are more likely to be affected by coccidia 1 2.
Signs symptoms of coccidia in cats because coccidia live in an animal s intestinal tract and diarrhea is one of the symptoms coccidia can be confused with intestinal worms. Because coccidia live in the intestinal tract and can cause diarrhea they are often confused with intestinal worms but coccidia are not worms. Coccidiosis as i m sure you re aware can be a challenging issue in kittens. Coccidiosis the disease caused by coccidia is usually more serious in kittens but can occur in older cats.
With appropriate and prompt treatment the prognosis is good. The most common sign of coccidiosis is diarrhea. Symptoms include watery stool with mucus or blood fever and in some cats neurological problems such as depression or convulsions. But they aren t worms at all.
Risk factors for coccidiosis include age young kittens at least 2 weeks of age but typically less than 6 months 1 stress always a challenge in a shelter and coinfection with other parasites. How do i prevent my cat from getting coccidia. These often cause an intestinal tract infection called coccidiosis 1 2. If it is not treated over time it can cause damage to the lining of a cat s intestinal tract.