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11-08-2008, 08:45 AM | #1 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 143
| Puppy with Coccidia!!! Ok this is long...but I need some advice please! We finally got Zeus a little brother and he is just perfect! He came to us from a very reputable show breeder and is just a wonderful puppy. The day after we brought him home he started having diarrhea. I first thought maybe it was caused by stress from new environment, travel, etc. or from a change in diet...he ate a few pieces of Zeus' food. But after a day it didn't get better and so I called our vet and moved our initial puppy appointment up to that night. He luckily had a bowel movement at the vets office and they were able to test it. They said he has a High Level of Coccidia !!!!! From what I have read stress is what brings out the symptoms in a puppy. The vet sent us home with Albon and probiotic powder and told me to give Keyopectate (sp) for diarrhea. We are now on day 3 of the meds and his poo is still runny and frequent! I called the breeder and she recommended another medicine-ponazuril, which is supposed to work in 2 days vs up to 3 weeks with Albon. I called the vet and they told me that Albon was perfectly fine and they wouldn't write for anything else unless the full trial of Albon was unsuccessful! The good news is... He is eating and drinking! He has energy and wants to play in between naps! He doesn't appear to be dehydrated (I continuously check his skin to make sure). I have been giving him pediolite and nutrical as needed just to be proactive. Can anyone share any experience you may have with Coccidia and its treatment? I am really frustrated...I want the little guy to feel better...and stop pooing all the time! He is using a pee pad and I have been obsessively cleaning everything with Ammonia to kill the Coccidia Cysts so that Zeus or my hubby and I don't get sick too. Ok…so what else can I do? Have any of you guys had luck with Albon as a treatment? How long did it take to start to work? Do you think I should take him to another vet? Thanks for any help you can offer!
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11-08-2008, 08:50 AM | #2 |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 143
| One more question... It seems like his diarrhea gets worse when I give him Kaopectate...so I'm not going to give him anymore! Is there anything else I should try to help with his leaky butt?
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11-08-2008, 09:58 AM | #3 |
Lovin' my R & R Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Middleton, Idaho
Posts: 2,152
| I would use plain old liquid pepto... How big is he? You can give it at a rate of 1cc per pound, once every two hours, for three doses. Then see how he looks. I sure wouldn't switch anti-biotics after you have already started one.
__________________ Amanda 's Ranger & Ryder |
11-08-2008, 10:13 AM | #4 |
Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Winona, MN
Posts: 131
| Poor little guy! I hope he get better.
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11-08-2008, 10:13 AM | #5 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 7,178
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Probiotics And Antibiotics So, make sure that you're giving the probiotics at least 3-4 hours AFTER the Albon. What kind of probiotics did he send you home with? Also, to answer your question, my yorkie had a severe case of coccidia when we first got him, and he was extremely sick and refused any food. We gave him Albon for a month or so, and he got better.
__________________ Miko 's his Mommy | |
11-08-2008, 10:30 AM | #6 | |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 143
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I questioned my vet when she said to give them both simultaneously and she said that the probiotics would help to get rid of the Coccidia quicker and that I should start them both immediately! I came home and read more about it and called the Vet and they once again insisted on giving him the antibiotic and the probiotics together. I am so fed up with them...I feel like they answer a question without thinking first!
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11-08-2008, 10:38 AM | #7 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 7,740
| My Morkie came home with coccidia which was found thru fecal test at first vet visit. She had only one day of moderate diarrhea with a little blood and mucus, which I also felt may have been from stress and diet change. She was on Albon for 10 days, and the vet had me treat my other Yorkie puppy too even without a fecal test, as she started diarrhea too. No probiotics were used. Both were totally clear 2 weeks later. I've heard of many here feeding canned pumpkin for diarrhea and stomach distress. Have you tried that? You are doing everything right, especially cleaning, and it's good he uses pee pads cause cleaning carpet is very hard. Good luck.
__________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA |
11-08-2008, 10:41 AM | #8 | |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 143
| Quote:
He is 2lbs...I have heard mixed things about Pepto...Our Vet...who I'm beginning to wonder about...says its bad to give b/c it has aspirin in it? But I have used it for our 3 year old yorkie as needed, at the recommendation of his breeder, and never had any problems! I wasn't planning on switching antibiotics now...but I really don't want to take a 3 week trial and error approach either...so I'm just wondering which antibiotic is the best line of treatment in case we need to retreat after the Albon is finished. I don't want to put him on another week of Albon if its not the best option! The Vet has already insinuated that Coccidia is hard to get rid of and that he will probably need several more weeks of treatment after this!
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11-08-2008, 10:51 AM | #9 | |
Donating Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Central Pennsylvania, USA
Posts: 143
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I wanted to treat Zeus proactively just to be safe but my vet said they wouldn't do it without a fecal and appointment on him first...which is scheduled for next Friday...their 1st available ! So for now I am just crazy ammonia cleanup lady! I feel like either I am taking Coccidia too seriously or the Vet isn't taking it serious enough! I know I am a neurotic overprotective momma but I have educated myself on the issue and I really feel like my concern is justified.
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11-08-2008, 01:47 PM | #10 | |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii
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Just know you are doing the best you can, and this too shall pass.
__________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA Last edited by MauiGirl; 11-08-2008 at 01:51 PM. | |
11-08-2008, 02:18 PM | #11 |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SC
Posts: 45
| Miss Delilah had coccidia at her first vet appt three days after she came from our very excellent breeder and it was awful, poor thing! She had mucous and a bit of blood in there. I was FREAKED OUT but the vet said it is very common and nothing to be overly concerned with since we caught it quick. He also prescribed Albon, a 10 day course and that did the trick within about 3-4 days if my memory is correct. We just had a follow up for vaccinations this past week and they tested again to be certain and all is clear and he gave her a clean bill of health I didn't give her any additional meds or supplements other than plenty of water and Nutrical. I know it's scary. We were scared to death! But our baby is fine, and I hope yours will be too!
__________________ DeDe and Roxie are the light of our lives! |
11-08-2008, 03:04 PM | #12 |
Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Maui, Hawaii
Posts: 7,740
| No fecal tests on puppies?? I wonder why these "great/excellent" breeders don't have fecal tests done before sending puppies out to new homes. I read that it coccidia is easily passed among nursing puppies, and the mom may have it and have no symptoms. My Morkie wasn't from a "great" breeder, so I wasn't surprised he hadn't tested. I informed him when we got the diagnosis, in case he wanted to have his dogs tested, or to advise the owner of the other littermate. I even did it nicely, not accusing or blaming. He never responded.
__________________ SANDY, MOM TO TIKI , KAYLA , KARLEE , R.I.P. MEIKA |
11-08-2008, 07:13 PM | #13 | |
Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SC
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__________________ DeDe and Roxie are the light of our lives! | |
11-08-2008, 08:18 PM | #14 |
I love yorkie kisses Donating Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,751
| We see it in our rescues as well. Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that live in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats. They cause disease most commonly in puppies and kittens less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, other disease present). In dogs and cats, most coccidia are of the genus called Isospora. Isospora canis and I. ohioensis are the species most often encountered in dogs. Regardless of which species is present, we generally refer to the disease as coccidiosis. As a puppy ages, he tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult, he may carry coccidia in his intestines, and shed the cyst in the feces, but experience no ill effects. How are coccidia transmitted? A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's feces, and if the mother is shedding the infective cysts in her feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within the young animal's intestines. Since young puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and parasitize the young animal's intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects. From exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of the illness is about 13 days. Most puppies who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age and older. Although most infections are the result of spread from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected puppy or kitten is contagious to other puppies or kittens. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to isolate those infected from those that are not. What are the symptoms of coccidiosis? The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances, die from the disease. Most infected puppies encountered by the authors are in the four to twelve week age group. The possibility of coccidiosis should always be considered when a loose stool or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis. It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy puppy to arrive at his new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the puppy has been at the new home for less than thirteen days, then he had coccidia before he arrived. Remember, the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is about thirteen days. If the puppy has been with his new owner several weeks, then the exposure to coccidia most likely occurred after the animal arrived at the new home. What are the risks? Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most common in animals who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Coccidiosis is very contagious, especially among young puppies. Entire kennels may become contaminated, with puppies of many age groups simultaneously affected. What is the treatment of coccidiosis? Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon®) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen®) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Because these drugs do not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms. Drug treatments of one to three weeks are usually required. How is coccidiosis prevented or controlled? Because coccidia is spread by the feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing needs to be such that food and water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all times. Most disinfectants do not work well against coccidia; incineration of the feces, and steam cleaning, immersion in boiling water, or a 10% ammonia solution are the best methods to kill coccidia. Coccidia can withstand freezing. Cockroaches and flies can mechanically carry coccidia from one place to another. Mice and other animals can ingest the coccidia and when killed and eaten by a dog, for instance, can infect the dog. Therefore, insect and rodent control is very important in preventing coccidiosis. The coccidia species of dogs and cats do not infect humans. |
11-09-2008, 07:51 AM | #15 | |
Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: USA
Posts: 7,178
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__________________ Miko 's his Mommy | |
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