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Expert: - 6/11/2010


Question
I am treating some foster kittens with Albon for coccidia.  I am also dog-sitting my parents cocker spaniel.  Last night he found his way into one of the litter pans and ate some cat feces.  I have read that coccidia is species specific but want to be sure that is true and I have not infected my parent's pet!
(on another note, these kittens have been on Albon over ten days and have gone from diarrhea to solid stool and now back to diarrhea!?!)
Thank you, Chris

Answer
I know your frustration with this Chris. Kitten re-infect themselves very easily with coccidia. It is a hard protozoan to kill off but you will.
The problem is that once they use the cat box and run off around the house they can shed these little buggers from their feet,etc. So they will go from diarrhea to solid and back again for this reason. 10 days is a start, most vets will have you treat for another 10 days to catch the second batch.

You have to be very fastidious about keeping the area around the box and the floors very clean and bleached if possible. Use a 20/1 solution of water to bleach.

There is a possibility of cross transmission as well. In cats and dogs, most coccidia are of the genus called Isospora. I. felis and I. rivolta are the most common species found in cats. Regardless of which species is present, we generally refer to the disease as coccidiosis.So with this in mind, you might want to just keep an eye on the dog's stool and watch for diarrhea. In older animals the disease is less common as the immune system usually fights it off.

If not, however, Albon is usually the drug of choice.

Here is an article from Pet Education on coccidia in dogs:

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1622&aid=727

Good luck and get out the bleach!

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

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PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

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I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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