Abdominal pains, vomiting, dehydration and watery stool are all signs that a cat is suffering from feline coccidiosis. Kittens and debilitated cats are prime candidates for its more severe manifestations.
Actually, coccidia is very common among both felines and canines. Recent surveys suggest that about 37% of cats and dogs are infected by coccidia. They don't, however, all show signs of having contracted it.
Protozoa, which are one celled organisms, are the cause of coccidiosis. Acting in a similar way to other parasites, such as worms, protozoa live in the intestinal tract of cats.
However, though the symptoms of worms and coccidia are similar, the conditions must be cured using different treatments. This makes it very important that you take your cat to a veterinarian as soon as you notice symptoms of intestinal distress, diarrhea, and vomiting.
So, how does your cat get it? Through coming into contact with infected fecal matter. All cat stool contain immature protozoa (referred to as oocytes), which are relatively harmless until they mature in an open environment. Once they mature, they may infect the cat once again. Another way of cats developing coccidiosis is from licking or eating protozoan infected mice.
There are various things that, as a pet owner, you can do reduce the risk of your cat or dog getting coccidia. You should:
1. Keep basic sanitation for catteries and kennels. You should make sure your catteries and kennels are tidy and well-maintained. Of particular importance is the disposing of stool within a day or two of it appearing.
2. Use disinfectants. It's advisable to move your pet out of the way before proceeding with this. The reason being that the fumes from disinfectants are potentially harmful to animals. You may then spray the area with a disinfectant that contains a considerable amount of ammonia or a little bleach mixed with a good amount of water.
3. Not ignore the cleaning of crevices and other hard to reach areas. You should pay close attention to them as many forms of parasites ? oocytes notwithstanding, could make their home there.
4. Repaint. Repainting the area where your pets live could help destroy coccidian oocytes where they mature. - 29953
Actually, coccidia is very common among both felines and canines. Recent surveys suggest that about 37% of cats and dogs are infected by coccidia. They don't, however, all show signs of having contracted it.
Protozoa, which are one celled organisms, are the cause of coccidiosis. Acting in a similar way to other parasites, such as worms, protozoa live in the intestinal tract of cats.
However, though the symptoms of worms and coccidia are similar, the conditions must be cured using different treatments. This makes it very important that you take your cat to a veterinarian as soon as you notice symptoms of intestinal distress, diarrhea, and vomiting.
So, how does your cat get it? Through coming into contact with infected fecal matter. All cat stool contain immature protozoa (referred to as oocytes), which are relatively harmless until they mature in an open environment. Once they mature, they may infect the cat once again. Another way of cats developing coccidiosis is from licking or eating protozoan infected mice.
There are various things that, as a pet owner, you can do reduce the risk of your cat or dog getting coccidia. You should:
1. Keep basic sanitation for catteries and kennels. You should make sure your catteries and kennels are tidy and well-maintained. Of particular importance is the disposing of stool within a day or two of it appearing.
2. Use disinfectants. It's advisable to move your pet out of the way before proceeding with this. The reason being that the fumes from disinfectants are potentially harmful to animals. You may then spray the area with a disinfectant that contains a considerable amount of ammonia or a little bleach mixed with a good amount of water.
3. Not ignore the cleaning of crevices and other hard to reach areas. You should pay close attention to them as many forms of parasites ? oocytes notwithstanding, could make their home there.
4. Repaint. Repainting the area where your pets live could help destroy coccidian oocytes where they mature. - 29953
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