Understanding

Maren von der Heyde

National Breed Supervisor

November 2011

Coccidia

What is Coccidia?

Coccidia is a term for several species of faecally transmitted protozoan parasites that invade and damage the lining of the intestinal

wall.

1 2

Coccidia Species

Coccidia have species specific hosts. The species of Coccidia which infect birds are

not contagious to dogs

Coccidia Species

Four species of Coccidia are responsible for Coccidia infections in dogs

Isospora Canis Isospora Ohioensis

Isospora Neorivolta

Isospora Burrowsi

Coccidia Lifecycle

Coccidia undergo several biological transformations…

Coccidia LifecycleIMMATURE OOCYST

Immature Oocysts are a hardy

environmentally resistant form of the

Coccidia parasite.

Oocysts are excreted in faeces. They can lie

dormant in the environment for many months.

Oocyst need to mature before they are

infectious.

Coccidia Lifecycle

MATURE OOCYST

The oocyst matures in the environment. The

cells inside the oocyst divide and differentiate

many times.

Warm, moist conditions are optimal for

oocyst maturation. When an oocyst is mature 8

active sporozoites form within the oocyst. This

maturation process takes at least 8 hours

Coccidia Lifecycle

SPOROZOITE

Sporozoites are released when a mature

oocyst is ingested. Sporozoites invade,

replicate asexually & destroy the epithelial

cells of the small intestine and colon.

Coccidians are only able to undergo a fixed

number of cell-invasion and asexual

replication repetitions.

Coccidia Lifecycle

MACRO & MICRO GAMETES

Following the final asexual replication phase, the

sporozoites differentiate:

• into either a single, very large, female

macrogamete or

• subdivides itself into many, much smaller,

male microgametes.

Coccidia Lifecycle

MACRO & MICRO GAMETES

Microgametes are much like human

sperm cells and, once mature, they exit

their host cell and swim over to other

intestinal cells, hunting for mature

female macrogametes.

Coccidia Lifecycle

OOCYST FORMATION

The male microgamete enters the

intestinal cell holding the female

macrogamete and fertilizes it.

This sexual reproduction results in the

formation of a zygote.

Coccidia LifecycleOOCYST FORMATION

A rigid wall forms around the fertilised

zygote and, once this wall is firm enough to

withstand the harsh world outside of the

intestinal tract, it erupts from the intestinal

cell and gets shed into the faeces as an

oocyst.

Coccidia Lifecycle

From the time of ingestion of the mature

oocysts it takes 4-11 days for the first

oocysts to appear in the faeces

INCUBATION PERIOD

Coccidia Lifecycle

Oocyst matures before

ingested

Mature oocysts release eight active Sporozoites

Sporozoites invade the epithelial cells of the small intestine and

colon where they replicate asexually

Sporozoites differentiate into female macrogametes

and male microgametes

Gametes combine to form an immature oocyst which

is expelled in faeces

Many thanks again to…

VA1 BSZS Sieger 2011Remo vom Fichtenschlag

Transmission

Coccidia is transmitted when a dog ingests a mature oocyst. Oocysts are expelled in faeces. There are several

common transmission routes:

TransmissionFecal-oral

The most common transmission route is

through the direct ingestion of faeces or the ingestion of

food, water or vegetation that has been contaminated

byfaeces

TransmissionLicking

Dogs can ingest oocysts when they lick

anything that has been in contact with faeces

Dogs spread oocysts onto their fur through rolling in or lying on

ground soiled by faeces. They then lick their

bodies, ingesting the oocysts.

TransmissionTransport Hosts:

While Coccidia species only infect specific

hosts, it is possible for the canine specific

Isospora to be transmitted via

transport hosts such as rats, birds or

lizards…

Transport Hosts1. A transport host eats dog faeces or vegetation soiled

by dog faeces

2. Once ingested the Isospora oocyst hatches & migrates in the host body

3. Since Coccidia is species specific. The host is typically asymptomatic. The Coccida lies dormant within the transport host

4. If a dog eats this host, he/she will now have Coccidia in their system

Transmission:Many adult dogs are carriers of Coccidia

but show no symptoms of infection

…

Carriers do however expel oocysts in their faeces. These oocysts go on to infect other

dogs especially puppies.

Transmission:

The immune system of adult dogs keep

the Coccidia population under

control.

When under stress or if immuno-

compromised Coccidia carriers may develop symptoms

Carriers:

Transmission:

Coccidia is NOT spread via a lactating

bitch’s milk to her puppies

Mother to puppy:

Coccidiosis

Coccidia invade the surface layer of cells lining the wall of the intestines.

Coccidia reproduce rapidly inside these cells causing them to burst & die. This

process, causes massive amounts of intestinal cell damage, resulting in

Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis

• Diarrhea: watery

stools, blood may be

present

• In severe cases,

weight loss,

dehydration, &

permanent damage

to the small intestine

• Vomitting may

occasionally be

observed

Symptoms4

Coccidiosis

In the upcoming slides a highly magnified

view of the damage caused by Coccidia

to the villi of the small intestine will be

shown…

CoccidiosisThese little matchstick

like projections are the

VILLI of the small

intestine.

The villi line the

surface of the small

intestine and are

responsible for the

absorption of nutrients

3

Coccidiosis

Day 1: Healthy intestinal villi

5

Coccidiosis

Day 5: Note the damage to the villi

6

Coccidiosis

Day 10: Significant damage due to

secondary infections as a result of Coccidia

7

Coccidiosis

Puppy immune

systems are not yet

fully developed. As

such, Coccidiosis is

more common and

serious in puppies

CoccidiosisPuppies can suffer several

complications as a result

of Coccidia:

• severe dehydration,

• blood loss,

• secondary

bacterial/viral

infection

They may even DIE

without prompt & proper

therapy. 

Diagnosis

A faecal exam is necessary to diagnose Coccidia.

Different faecal examination methods can be used.

It should be noted that oocysts are shed intermittently &

thus multiple faecal examinations may be necessary for

a conclusive result

Discuss the best diagnostic

methodology with your

Veterinarian!

Treatment

This information is purely educational &

does not const itute medical advice.

Before adopting ANY medical treatments

please consult with your Veter inar ian!

TreatmentMost antibiotics and anti-coccidial drugs

used in Coccidia therapy do not destroy all of the coccidial organisms.

Most of them simply kill enough of the organisms that they won't decimate the

bowel, thereby buying time for the immune system response to kick in and

establish a host-parasite balance and neutrality.

Treatment

It should be noted that both Vecoxan and Coximed are not registered for use in dogs. Therefore owners treat their dogs with these drugs at their

own risk.

Discuss the appropriate treatment with your Vet!

Diclazuril, trade name Vecoxan® and Coximed® has proven effective in treating Coccidiosis in

dogs

TreatmentSuggested Puppy treatment protocol for Breeders

Vecoxan® has a dosage of 2.5mg of Diclazuril/tablet whereas and Coximed® has

5mg/tablet

In my experience Coximed has proven far more effective and efficient in treating

Coccidiosis and is my preferred medication

Treatment

At 4 weeks puppies and dam to be treated with Diclazuril

Diclazuril to be repeated in 7 or 10 days depending on the severity of infection

Suggested Puppy treatment protocol for Breeders

Treatment

After 10 days a faecal flotation must be done,

If negative: Diclazuril treatment

to be repeated every 10 days until

puppies leave

If positive: Diclazuril treatment

to be repeated every 7 days until

puppies leave

Suggested Puppy treatment protocol for Breeders

TreatmentSuggested Puppy treatment protocol for Breeders

It is advisable to perform another faecal flotation approximately 3 days before puppies leave to their new homes

Moving to a new home is stressful for a puppy. This faecal floatation helps ensure that puppies are healthy and minimises

the risk of Coccidiosis as a result of stress

Prevention:While it is impossible to eliminate the risk of

Coccidia completely, measures can be taken

to help ensure the health & wellbeing of your

dogs

PreventionGood Sanitation & Hygiene!

Remove ALL faeces from the dog’s environment as soon and as often as possible. Isospora oocysts need at least 8 hours to mature and develop into an infective form. Significant control of the parasite can be achieved simply by cleaning out faeces regularly (two to three times daily), prior to the maturation of the oocysts.

PreventionGood Sanitation & Hygiene!

Clean water and food bowls

Dog food and water bowls should not be placed in a position where they can be unintentionally contaminated with fecal material.

Elevating bowls and placing bowls out of high traffic areas helps minimise the risk of contamination

PreventionGood Sanitation & Hygiene!

Thoroughly disinfect

Coccidia oocysts are extremely hardy and environmentally resistant. As such it is best to clean & disinfect your kennels and trailers with quaternary ammonia based disinfectants such as F10, at least once a week.

Prevention

Good Sanitation & Hygiene!

Keep dogs clean to prevent the risk of any fecal contamination via fur

Prevention

Suggested hygiene protocol for breeders

Bath her again immediately after whelping and then every second day

until the bleeding stops

Bath the dam 3 days before whelping with F10 Shampoo

Prevention

Whelping box must be disinfected

before and after whelping.

The whelping box should be throughly

cleaned and disinfected at regular

intervals post whelping

Suggested hygiene protocol for breeders

Prevention

Wash puppies regularly (every morning if

possible) before feeding with F10 shampoo,

especially the bums and paws

After feeding, clean puppy paws again in

case they stepped into their food bowl

Suggested hygiene protocol for breeders

Prevention

Diet & Holistic Health

Ensure your dog has a well balanced diet, which is high in fibre. This will help to ensure healthy digestion & prevent Coccidia infection. Good overall health will also ensure that a dog’s own immune system can fight parasitic threats

Prevention

Raw meat

While the risk is low it is possible for dogs to contract Coccidia through the consumption of raw meat (Remember Coccidia can be transmitted by transport hosts). Be cautious and vigilant if feeding dogs a raw diet.

Bibliography1. E. Ward, DVM, Coccidia, viewed 10 November 2011,

http://mypuppycare101.com/members/puppy-health/worms-and-intestinal-parasites/coccidia/

2. Pet Wellbeing.com, Dog Coccidia, viewed 10 November 2011, http://pethealth.petwellbeing.com/wiki/Dog_Coccidia

3. Science Photo library, Small intestine microvilli, SEM, viewed 10 November 2011, http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/310018/view

4. S. O’Meara DVM, Veterinary Advice Online - Coccidia Infection. Coccidiosis in dogs, cats and other animals., viewed 10 November 2011, http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/coccidiosis-in-dogs.html

5. H.C. Mundt, No olvide la coccidiosis, BayerVet Venezuela, viewed 10 November 2011, http://www.bayervet.net/vz_008_02.html

6. H.C. Mundt, No olvide la coccidiosis, BayerVet Venezuela, viewed 10 November 2011, http://www.bayervet.net/vz_008_02.html

7. H.C. Mundt, No olvide la coccidiosis, BayerVet Venezuela, viewed 10 November 2011, http://www.bayervet.net/vz_008_02.html

Many thanks to Emeritus Professor: Department of Veterinary Tropical

diseases Joop Boomker for graciously sharing his wealth of knowledge

Compiled by: Karishma Bhoolia

in consultation with the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa

And

Emeritus Professor Department of Veterinary Tropical diseases Joop Boomker

Questions?