A Look At Cat Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by highly contagious protozoans. The intestinal tract is the prime target for the invading protozoans. Kittens that are less than six months old are usually affected since their immune systems aren’t fully developed yet. However, adult cats with a compromised immune system can also be affected. You may be wondering how your cat can be affected by them.

Transmission

Infected kittens and cats pass immature coccidia in their stool. If your cat is around these feces and ingests the coccidia, they will infect the intestinal tract and start to multiply. Most kittens become infected when around their infected mother’s feces. Mice can also ingest these protozoans and infect your cat if he eats one.

Signs

Two weeks after ingesting the protozoans, your cat will begin to display symptoms. The most prominent symptom of this disease is diarrhea in felines. Depending on how advanced the infection is, this can either be mild or sever.

Common signs of a severe infection include loss of appetite and vomiting. Dehydration can quickly develop due to vomiting and diarrhea. This can be life-threatening to kittens. This is why coccidiosis can be fatal sometimes.

Diagnosis

Your cat will need to submit a stool sample to be checked for the parasites. However, the parasites may be hard to detect since they’re immature. The sample will have to be examined closely in order to detect the presence of coccidia. In some cases, a blood test can be used to diagnose coccidiosis.

Treatment

If your cat is diagnosed with coccidiosis, he will have to take antibiotics. Your cat will need to take this medication for about two weeks. Doing so will eliminate the possibility that all parasites weren’t eliminated. It’s possible for the disease to recur if your cat is exposed to the same environment again. Therefore, disinfecting the environment with bleach and water will help prevent coccidia in cats.

There are many problems that can possibly affect your pet like cat ear mites. Fortunately for you, cat-illnesses.com is a great resource for all owners. Make sure you come by to read all about these health conditions.

Technorati Tags: Cat Health, cat health problems, coccidia