Coccidia In Kittens Signs

When the oocysts are found in the stool of a cat without diarrhea they are generally considered a transient insignificant finding.

Coccidia in kittens signs. Coccidia are a group of microscopic parasites that can cause a disease called coccidiosis in kittens and cats. Bloody diarrhea and an inability to control defecation will become apparent as the infection progresses and your cat may become weak and feverish with related vomiting and weight loss. Coccidia are a group of single celled protozoa found within the intestinal lining of kittens and cats. The primary symptom of a coccidial infection is watery mucous like diarrhea.

Our recommendation for shelters who frequently see coccidia in kittens is to treat all kittens and puppies if applicable with ponazuril once upon intake as early as 2 3 weeks of age repeating at 7 14 days and then re treating based on clinical signs and fecal exams if needed 7. Kittens and older cats that are stressed or have a weak immune system are more likely to be affected by coccidia 1 2. In kittens coccidiosis infection can cause watery and bloody diarrhea vomiting pain and dehydration followed by rapid weight loss. If your cat is showing any signs of coccidiosis your veterinarian will check your cat s feces under the microscope to look for coccidia oocysts.

These often cause an intestinal tract infection called coccidiosis 1 2. If left untreated coccidiosis in symptomatic kittens can lead to death. This parasite is very tiny compared to other intestinal parasites and can be easily missed so a very thorough fecal analysis or multiple fecal analyses must be. Infections occur in adult cats and kittens but are much more likely to cause serious disease watery or bloody diarrhea in kittens.

Signs to watch for are as follows. Diagnosing coccidia in cats. Symptoms include watery stool with mucus or blood fever and in some cats neurological problems such as depression or convulsions. Many cats that are infected with coccidia do not have diarrhea or any other clinical signs.

Watery diarrhea may contain blood. Kittens are most likely to become infected and the disease can spread quickly between groups of pets. Symptoms of coccidiosis appear almost two weeks after the initial infection. Signs that your cat is infected with coccidia include diarrhea that can be watery or bloody dehydration vomiting and loss of appetite.