Owner’s Look At Coccidia In Cats

July 12, 2009
By system

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by highly contagious protozoans. These protozoans make their way to the intestinal tract where they cause an infection. Kittens that are less than six months old are usually affected since their immune systems aren’t fully developed yet. However, adult cats with a compromised immune system can also be affected. So, how are these protozoans transmitted to your cat?

Transmission

Infected cats shed immature coccidia in their feces. If your cat is around these feces and ingests the coccidia, they will infect the intestinal tract and start to multiply. Since kittens are usually around their mother’s feces, they can easily become infected. Rodents can also ingest the protozoans and pass them along to your cat when eaten.

Signs

Two weeks after ingesting the protozoans, your cat will begin to display symptoms. In most cases, the main sign of a problem is feline diarrhea. This can be mild or severe depending on how advanced the infection is.

Cats with a severe infection usually experience vomiting and loss of appetite. Kittens can possibly die of dehydration if the vomiting and diarrhea go on for too long. The disease proves to be fatal in some cases.

Diagnosis

Your cat will need to submit a stool sample to be checked for the parasites. However, the parasites may be hard to detect since they’re immature. The vet will have to look very closely in order to diagnose this disease. Also, coccidiosis can sometimes be diagnosed using a blood test.

Treatment

If your cat is diagnosed with coccidiosis, he will have to take antibiotics. They are usually given for up to two weeks to ensure the infection is treated successfully. It’s possible for the disease to recur if your cat is exposed to the same environment again. Therefore, you would need to disinfect using water and bleach.

There are many problems that can possibly affect your pet like feline ear mites. Fortunately for you, cat-illnesses.com is a great resource for all owners. Make sure you come by to read all about these health conditions.

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