Coccidia?

[hobokenmom]

Hi everyone. I'm a new member to Doodlekisses, having just brought my little Otto home to New Jersey this past Monday. We went to our vet check yesterday and left a fecal sample. Well, I got the call today that Otto had Coccidia in his poop, and needed antibiotics. I got him from a very reputable breeder, so I guess these things just happen, right?

Otto has not really had any diarrhea (yet), so I guess it was caught early before he really got sick.

A few questions to those who might have some experience with this.

1. Does the Albon (antibiotic) make puppies sleep more? He's been pretty sleepy all day since we gave him the first dose?
2. Do antibiotics give dogs diarrhea like they do for humans sometimes? If so, should I do anything preventatively?
3. Is this something that usually clears up with the 10-day course of antibiotics?
4. What is de-worming, and does that have anything to do with intestinal parasites like Coccidia?

Sorry if these questions are dumb, but I'm a new dog owner and trying to figure this all out.

Thanks a lot for any advice you can offer.

Amy (and Otto)

[MBKANE]

Hi Amy I know exactly what you are going through. I brought my Kensi home and within 2 days she was having diarrhea and also blood in her stools. I ended up having to take her to the pet hospital b/c I was so worried. Once I got in to see my vet they said she too had Coccidia. They put her on Albon and a powdered pro-biotic that you sprinkle on her food. Well Kensi wasn't eating anything. Over the next week it didn't get any better, all she was doing was sleeping and drinking water. The vet gave her another type of medicine that helped some. After 3 weeks she was finally diagnosed with Giardia. Another type of parasite, more serious than Coccidia. 3 medicines later we got the combo right and she cleared up quickly.

It is very important to have him re-tested at the end of the 10 day treatment. Keep a good eye on the amount of liquids and food he is ingesting. Also make sure that once he goes poop it is quickly bagged up and thrown away. Puppies are known for stepping in there messes and that is how they stay infected. Keep him away from others dogs for now as well. De-worming often can prevent these things but not always.

Like you I bought my pup from a reputable breeder but it can be hard to prevent. I hope Otto clears up real soon!

[hobokenmom]

Thank you so much for responding. I'm so sorry to hear that your Kensi was so sick. I would've been so worried. Otto seems to be okay.

I contacted my breeder and she gave me a lot of information about coccidia, and was very reassuring about the whole situation.

Now if I could just stop Otto from jumping up and nipping at my kids' pants.

[Jill and Cody]

Hi. Do you remember what meds your vet gave you for Giardia? My puppy has it and has already gone through 1 ten day dose of anti biotics which didn't get rid of it. He is on the second round for around 5 days now and his poop is still sort of loose. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Renee]

Taffy had Coccidia when we brought her home too. Our vet said it is very common in puppies and even though they had dewormed with the breeder, a lot of times they need another course of treatment. Taffy was tested again after the Albon and she was all clear. We did not have any problems with diarrhea or eating- she seemed fine the whole time.

[Julie]

Hi,
I lost a kitten to Coccidia and my other kitten (her sister) had it at the same time. My vet said she would have also died without treatment. The second kitten did not yet have diarrhea but was a bit dehydrated. I know Coccidia is a protozoan that is often found on farms. It's not a worm. I did not notice that my kitten was at all sleepy while taking the antibiotic. My kitten was retested after 10 days of treatment and needed to take the drug longer than 10 days to clear it from her system. As I said, there was no diarrhea with the second kitten and she did not develop it after taking the antibiotic. However, diarrhea is a symptom of Coccidia, and my kitten who died had diarrhea. Deworming is treatment with a drug to rid your pet of intestinal worms. There a few different types of worms (hook worms, round worms, heart worms ...). Products such as Strongid T, Revolution and Sentinel kill different types of worms. Ask your vet. I deworm my Labradoodle regularly. As dogs are always in the dirt and are interested in others poo, they can ingest the worms in the egg stage. Worms will make your dog unhealthy. I hope this helps. It was awful to lose a pet due to my ignorance. -Julie

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

This is what coccidiosis and round worms does to a pup.  The 2 wk pictures he is the one with the spot on his back.  He does look smaller and a little pot bellied.  The held off getting him until he was 11 weeks.  Warning when the owner is willing to drive 1.5 to meet you that is a bad sign.  The pup was given to my grandson by a family member.  He was so week is back was hunched over and he was wobbly.  He was probably days or hours from dying.  I got wormer the next day because his diarrhea was bad.  It helped the roundworm and he became hydrated and gained a little.  Few days later his vet said he also had coccidiosis.  ALL THE DOGS IN THEIR KENNEL NEEDED TO BE TREATED.  Anyway, he recovered and gained quickly.  A boxer weight 5.5 lbs is about half size at 11 weeks.

[Susan & Randy's Kate]

Mav had to be treated for hereditary mange at a few months old.  Apparently that type of mange has to not only treat the pups but the mother as well.  All subsequent litters will be at risk or mange and coccidiosis.  Mav is a sweet boy now who loves the snow.