Coccidia or Coccidiosis  &  Hook Worms

Preface: Coccidia is a well known name among everyone. There are many different species of Coccidia for dogs and hundreds of others that affect various other mammals. The disease they cause, coccidiosis, is recognized as the major health hazard in domestic animal husbandry by the National Science Foundation in 1994. Since then, NSF has become seriously concerned about this parasite with it's new formings. The most common among them for dogs is the genus Isospora. Isospora Coccidia is relatively easy to catch. This parasite destores at best in large numbers in the host when they reach the disease coccidiosis. The immature immune system of puppies tends to let the coccidia infection reach large numbers thus causing the coccidiosis disease where the mature immune system of adult dogs probably will not. Diarrhea is the highest known symptom of Isospora Coccidia, though there are other ways of diagnosing and treating this disease. Antibiotics are even available at local stores or on the famous internet.

Isospora Coccidia are parasites (single celled organisms) that infect the intestines of dogs. They are microscopic parasites detectable on routine fecal tests in the same way that worms are but coccidia are not worms and they are not visible to the naked eye. Coccidia infection causes a watery diarrhea which is sometimes bloody and can even be a life-threatening problem to an especially young or small pet. Isospora Coccidia is very simple to catch. Coccidia spores an item called oocysts in the host's intestines. Oocysts are passed in stool. In the outside world, the oocysts begin to mature or “sporulate.” After they have adequately matured, they become infective to any host (dog) that accidentally swallows them in some form. To be more precise, coccidia come from fecal-contaminated ground. They are swallowed when a pet grooms/licks the dirt off itself, eats off the ground, etc. In some cases, sporulated oocysts are swallowed by mice, birds, etc and the host is infected when it eats the mouse, bird, etc. Coccidia infection is especially common in young puppies housed in groups (in whelping boxes, kennels, dog yards, etc.) since this parasite destores animals once the quanitity hits large numbers. Though, older animals can contact this disease with out signs and thus pass it on to other young dogs including their own off sping. This is a common parasite and is not necessarily a sign of poor conditions. One contamenated stool left on the ground for a few hours with correct temperatures can easily contamenate the area.

Once the oocyst is swallowed and digested, it breaks open and releases an estimate of eight sporozoites. The parasite is asexual meaning it only requires one to spread and cause a coccidiosis disease. Sporozoites are other Isospora Coccidia parasites (still single celled) that have "reproduced" from the orginal Isospora Coccidia parasite. These sporozoites each finds an intestinal cell and begins to reproduce inside it. Ultimately, the cell is so full of what are called “merozoites” that it bursts releasing the merozoites which seek out their own intestinal cells and the process begins again. It is important to note how thousands of intestinal cells can become infected and destroyed as a result of accidentally swallowing the first single oocyst. With this parasite being able to multiply is such vast and large quanity, it is now understood why a puppy can die in a matter of days. A puppy can die within 4-5 days after the first ingestion. Though, the puppy will not show signs of infection until the last 2-3 days. Of course this estimate various due to age, immune system, and overall nutritional health of the puppy. As the intestinal cells are destroyed in larger and larger numbers, intestinal function is disrupted and a bloody, watery diarrhea results. The fluid loss can be dangerously dehydrating to a very young or small pet. Possible Anemia can form causing the situation to worsen and less likely to resolve. Anemia is the lose of red blood cells and blood content. Anemia can cause weakness, loss of appetite, low immune system, and death from it alone in severe cases. It can cause infection if the puppy starts to win the battle against Coccidia and lives longer than a few days allowing the bacteria to mature in the intestine. A secondary antibiotic is well worth while if the puppy appears to be recovering from the Coccidia. A routine fecal test is a good way to confirm the diagnosis of Coccidia in the host. Whether there are signs of diarrhea or not as youngsters are commonly parasitized by one or more parasites. This sort of test is also a good idea for any patient with diarrhea. Coccidia are microscopic and a test such as this is necessary to rule them in. It should be noted that small numbers of coccidia can be hard to detect so just because a fecal sample tests negative, this does not mean that the pet is not infected. Sometimes several fecal tests are performed, especially in a young pet with a refractory diarrhea; parasites may not be evident until later in the course of the condition.

We do not have any medicine that will kill coccidia; only the patient’s immune system can do that. But we can give medicines called “coccidiostats” which can inhibit coccidial reproduction. Once the numbers stop expanding, it is easier for the patient’s immune system to “catch up” and wipe the infection out. This also means, though, that the time it takes to clear the infection depends on how many coccidia organisms there are to start with and how strong the patient’s immune system is. A typical treatment course lasts about a week or two but it is important to realize that the medication should be given until the diarrhea resolves plus an extra couple of days to prevent reinfestation. Medication should be given for at least five days total after the puppy has appeared "cured". Sometimes courses as long as a month are needed. There are a vast amount of coccidiostats available from your Veternarian. One of the most popular effective drugs prescribed is primor that comes in a pill form. But, you can save on costly fees by going to a local livestock store and purchase the same drugs. Here's a website on the internet where you can even purchase them:

http://www.lambriarvet.com/catalog/antibiotics33.htm The use of sulfa drugs in pregnancy are not recommended since they can cause birth defects. Sulfa drug use can also lead to false positive test results for urine glucose if the female is a diabetic. While there are species of coccidia that can infect people (Toxoplasma and Cryptosporidium, for example), the Isospora Coccidia of dogs are not infective to people. Other pets (cats) may become infected from exposure to infected fecal matter or infected enviroment but it is important to note that this is usually an infection of the young. At the same time the other pets can become carring hosts of this parasite and need to be treated at the same time. Yet, in most cases, the infected new puppy does not infect the resident adult animal to the extent of disease, but can infect the adult as a carring host. The scariest thought is when the National Science Foundation says the Coccidia parasites are evolving and actually become immune to the coccidiostats medications being used around the world. New strands are forming consistantly through out the world when they build resistance. The real problem is that there hasn't been enough financial funding to actually catalog and cross reference all the strands. Some strands have evolved to infecting the kidneys and intestines. Though, his has not been recorded by the Isospora Coccidia at of yet. By the time the goverments kick in the funding; the coccidia parasite will have become more serious than it already has. This really gives a deeper thought of who will be on the top of the food chain in the future. In fact, the literature on this subject is vast and widely scattered, much of it appearing in obscure journals that have limited circulation. In consequence, literally hundreds of species descriptions remain unarchived and/or uncatalogued. The only definitive work on the group has been Pellérdy's Coccidia and Coccidiosis (1974); although Levine (1988) authored a 2 volume checklist. In conclusion, imagine if a 2 volume checklist barely covers all the strands known of this parasite in 1988, imagine how many strands are in unknown existance today.

Since the writing of this article, I have had people to inquire if it is worth while to give coccidiostats as a preventative reguraly like wormings and shots. My response is this...Honestly, no it is not good to give them the Albon on a regular basis since the parasite will mutate and become immune to the Albon. Thus, when you really need it, it doesn't work.

If you have had coccidiosis, then I tell you what I did. I completly raked the entire yard, every leaf, pine needle, stool, even down to the chips in the dog houses right before it snowed. The parasite can not live in the freezing temperatures. I then bleached the entire yard, dog houses, everything! I used cocci-guard and corid solution on a rotating basis for the next two weeks as a preventative of reinfestation in the dogs. The reason for two weeks is that is the life cycle of this parasite. I used Albon on the pups and Adults. I treated every single animal even down to the horses (even though the strand of coccidia is different from dogs). It snowed good that year. It is important is stays in freezing temperatures for at least 24 hours to kill all external parasites and oocysts. If it stays colder longer, great, since some more may be passed from the medication after that time period.

I have not had any more problems. On practice, I give the dogs cocci-guard and corid when I have a female here to breed or just had visitors. This parasite can be carried in the dirt of someone's shoes if they have walked on contaminated ground. Remember though, this is just a preventative medication. It will not cure the disease.South Block

Hookworms are not just

Hookworms are a more serious problem for dogs than many breeders take them for. They can cause serious health problems, abort litters, or even cause death. There are a number of signs your dog will give if he has a heavy case of this parasite. Hookworms are among the easiest parasites to become infested with. Even humans can become infested with the hookworms. Diagnosis of hookworms in dogs is easy. At the same, prevention and cures are very simple to handle as well. Hookworms are parasites which have their name from the "hook" like mouthparts they use to attach to the intestinal wall. Hookworms are classified as parasites since they are a small organism living totally off of another. They are only about 7mm long and less in width. Thus, unlike other worms/parasites, you have to be looking very carefully to see them in the dog's stools.

There are three species of hookworms that infect dogs in the United States. They are Ancylostoma braziliense, Ancylostoma caninum, and Uncinaria stenocephala. In dogs, Ancylostoma caninum is the most common hookworm and causes the worst disease. Dogs in the Northern States and in Canada are more likely to be infected with Uncinaria Stenocephala as it prefers cold climates and Ancylostoma caninum prefers warm climates. Uncinaria braziliense is mainly found in the lowest states of the US and is not that common. As they are found mainly in Brazil and Mexico. Despite their small size, they suck a large amount of blood from the tiny vessels in the intestinal wall. Hookworms do not hold a certain location during the entire process of fertilization. As they move, the intestines bleed and thus can become infected causing more problems inside the canine. The areas do not produce blood clots to stop the bleeding since the hookworms produce an anticoagulant in it's saliva. Sometimes the site may continue to bleed to the point of seriousness. A large number of Ancylostoma caninum hookworms can cause anemia. Anemia is the lose of red blood cells and blood content. Anemia can cause weakness, loss of appetite, low immune system, and death in severe cases. As few as 100 Ancylostoma caninum hookworms can kill a puppy. As many as 500-1500 Ancylostoma caninum can kill an adult dog. The age, nutritional status, and natural resistance of the dog are also important factors of the battle against infestation. The other two types of hookworms are less likely to cause severe anemia but it is a potential problem with them just the same.

The most significant problems appear related to intestinal distress and anemia. Other dogs experience significant weight loss, bloody diarrhea, dehydration or failure to grow to their full potential with a case of hookworm infection. In some cases, the presence of pale gums, blood in diarrhea, or extreme weakness might suggest the need to specifically determine the dog's red blood cell count. Skin irritation is among the common signs of a heavy infected enviroment. The larvae burrow into the skin and cause the dog a great deal of itching and discomfort. In puppies, diarrhea may occur as early as four days post infection. By day eight, fresh blood appears in the stools. Heavily infected puppies may die between 10-24 days after infection with no deworming. This is why deworming is so important to give on a regular basis.

Hookworms are among the easiest parasite to become infested with. Believe it or not, this parasite can produce as many as 20,000 eggs in a day! The eggs are layed in the intestine but pass through the feces of the infected dog into the soil where they are easily reinfested through daily activities. Such as your dog eating off the ground, eating his own bowl stools, or the hookworms can penetrate though the dog's feet and stomach. Infective larvae penetrate the skin (especially the soft areas between the toes and the belly) and migrate through the blood vessels to the lungs, enter the trachea, and are coughed up. Once coughed up, they are swallowed and passed in to the intestine where they complete their development into adult hookworms. You can only imagine how quickly a dog can inhabit a serious case of this parasites. New born puppies are also vulenable. Infective larvae enter lactating dogs, then pass to the mammary glands and from there are passed to the pup in the colostrum. If the female stops nursing, the larvae stop their migration and enter a state of dormancy until the glands are once in use again. If the female is pregnant at the time of infestation, some migrating larvae may pass to the placenta and enter the fetus, this larvae will complete their development when the pup is born.

Adult canine hookworms can not infect humans, however, the larvae can burrow into the human skin causing itching. This creates a problem called cutaneaous larva migrans; which loosely translates to worms migrating around through the skin. Direct contact of the human skin to warm, moist, hookworm infested soil is the highest level of being infected since the most popular hookworms are the Ancylostoma caninum. Yet, human can contract during the winter months or in the higher states and Canada with the colder climate and the Uncinaria stenocephala hookworms present. The larvae do not mature in to adults since they do not in the human body. They cause sores and inflammation until they die. Only in rare instances, the canine hookworm will penetrate deeper in to the tissues and partially mature in the human intestine. Other extreme rare cases the larvae may make their way through the skin and enter the lungs causing lung disease and painful muscles. This is called enterocolitis which is very rare. Fortunately, this does not occur very often if normal hygiene practices are observed. There are hookworms contageous to humans; Strongylida and superfamily Ancylostomatoidea are the two principal species of hookworms which infect humans, but not canines.

If you are unsure of your dog's health, hookworms can be diagnosed with a microscopic examination of a small stool sample by your local Veternarian. Hookworms produce a relatively large amount of eggs on a daily basis and can be easily detected. Most Veternarians will take a saved stool sample that you can bring in a plastic ziploc bag. This is probably one of the easiest ways to avoid Vet costly fees. The Veternarian should find several thousand eggs per gram in fresh stool samples if the dog is infested. Anemia may develop prior to the eggs showing up in the feces. Therefore, your Veternarian may have to examine three consecutive fecal samples taken two to three days apart to confirm the diagnosis. The eggs of different parasites of horses and deer can easily be confused with hookworm eggs. Sometimes it's neccesary to confine the dog away from any tempting manure or droppings for 24 hours and then repeat the fecal exam. If the eggs are still there, they're most likely hookworm eggs as the parasites known to horses and deer pass through the dog and do not infect them. Yet, prompt deworming should be given when parasites are detected as well as periodic deworming for dogs at high risk for reinfestation. Keeping the dog feces cleaned from their area should always be concern for this parasite as well as other diseases. Now, don't just rake and dump them a few feet away. They can move through the soil. Completly remove the feces away. Nursing females should be treated simostanously with the pups to prevent reinfestation in the pups as well as in herself. If the enviroment soil is infested use a 10 to 1 mixture of bleach and water to kill the parasites. This can be 10 gallons of water to every 1 gallon of bleach or 10 pints of water to every 1 pint of bleach. It depends on the size of the area. Flaming the surface soil can kill the larvae. Gravel runs are best treated with sodium borate applied at the rate of 10 lbs/100 sq. ft. Keep in mind, Sodium borate will kill vegetation in which bleach (diluted) will not. The time required for larvae to develop to the infective stage depends on the temperature and moisture content in the soil. The highest rating for Ancylostoma braziliense or Ancylostoma caninum infectious usually occur during warm damp days. These conditions allow for rapid development and prolonged survival of infective lavae in the soul. Larvae have been known to go dormant until the enviroment gains the levels they require to finish developing. Thus, if you have an infected enviroment, treat the area several times every few weeks. This and deworming should get your enviroment back on track. Deworming products are available in a wide source. Though, you must know your product information in order to use it to it's full potential. Ivromec or Univecin or other heartworm preventatives are among the top deworming products. Though these items contain a drug that will prevent hookworm infections, they will not kill adult hookworms already attached. Which is why it is a good practice to use a secondary wormer prehand to those such as a strongid based or pyrantel based dewormer that kills adult hookworms. Keep in mind that these drugs only kill the adult hookworms. Therefore, it is necessary to treat again in about 2-4 weeks in order to kill any newly formed adults that were larvae at the time of the first treatment. There are those prescriptions that take care of the entire source. To name a few: Milbemycin (Interceptor): Dichlorvos (Task): Dichlorophine/toluene (Triple Wormer): Mebendazole (Telmintic): Fenbendazole (Panacur)