Quote:
Originally Posted by China  What is it and how do puppies get it? 
I wash all the utinsels and rinse them well using clorox.
The female is bathed at least a couple of times a week and I clean her
nipples and rear area sometimes several times a day.Yet I had a puppy to get Cocidosis and it spread to the whole litter of 3 puppies. One died  and the other 2 were on medication for a good while after they were sold.
The vet offered little information on this other than to keep the animals clean and their area clean.
Now for future litters what can I do to make sure this dosn't happen again.. What am I missing, what didn't I do that could have prevented this??  What am I looking for? I have raised Yorkies several years now and this is a first and it was soooo un-nerving. 
China |
I am sorry you had to lose a puppy over this. Coccidia is much more common than most people realize. I have read that up to 72% of dogs may have some level of infection with coccidia. A dog can get it from eating dog poop, bird poop, a cockroach or mice droppings. The mom can be a carrier but show no clinical signs until she has pups then she might have an outbreak of diarrhea. Just a small amount of feces on her coat or feet can spread it to her newborn pups. The incubation period is usually 6 to 10 days. Often you see puppies anywhere from 3 weeks to 8 weeks or older that have the outbreaks. The outbreaks are usually triggered by stress so that is why it shows up more when a puppy is being weaned or goes to a new home. Many breeders will automatically treat puppies with Albon about a week before letting them go to a new home, just as a preventative. Coccidia is hard to diagnose in a routine stool sample if the dog is not having an outbreak.
Giardia is usually passed on from dogs drinking dirty water. It is also difficult to treat.
How old were the pups when you sold them. Did the pup die at your home or at the new owners home? I am sure you did all you could. In the future you will know what signs to look for. Normally any puppy that has icky poop and is straining should see a vet immediately.