Stool Coccidia In Kittens
Isospora felis and isospora rivolta are the most common species of coccidia in cats.
Stool coccidia in kittens. The coccidia parasites are often identified microscopically in your cat s feces. Coccidiosis is a parasitic infection that occurs in cats. It is thought that 5 of all cats acquire coccidiosis at some point in their lives. Cats become infected by ingesting giardia cysts in the feces of another infected animal usually a littermate or chronic carrier cat.
Because these little pests are not visible to the naked eye your veterinarian may recommend treatment for coccidiosis even if the parasite is not found in your cat s stool. Coccidiosis is a parasitic type of infection caused by the coccidia parasite. Coccidia is a nasty little single celled organism that causes mucousy diarrhea in kittens and can be treated with the prescription drug ponazuril. Coccidia get grouped together with worms because they are routinely searched for in stool tests for worms fecal ova and parasite test.
Coccidia are a group of microscopic parasites that can cause a disease called coccidiosis in kittens and cats. Infections occur in adult cats and kittens but are much more likely to cause serious disease watery or bloody diarrhea in kittens. The condition causes diarrhea stomach ache and general feelings of discomfort. Kittens with liquid diarrhea are at risk of dehydration and death.
Coccidia belong to a group of single celled parasites called protozoan. Because coccidia live in the intestinal tract and can cause diarrhea they are often confused with intestinal worms but coccidia are not worms. Giardia cysts are very resistant to freezing and municipal water chlorination. Coccidiosis is an intestinal tract infection caused by a one celled organism a protozoa called coccidia.
With appropriate and prompt treatment the prognosis is good. In cats most coccidia are of the genus group called isospora. If it is not treated over time it can cause damage to the lining of a cat s intestinal tract. Signs to watch for are as follows.
Giardia is another protozoan infection resulting in soft frothy greasy diarrhea which can be treated with panacur. Coccidia are not worms. They are single celled intestinal parasites called protozoa which are only visible with a microscope. Watery diarrhea may contain blood vomiting anorexia weight loss dehydration abdominal pain uveitis inflammation of the uvea.
The good news is that coccidiosis is a very treatable condition. Giardiasis is more common in multiple cat households and catteries and the infection rate is greater in cats less than one year old.