Coccidiosis In Kittens Treatment
However in kittens and debilitated adult cats coccidiosis can cause severe watery diarrhea dehydration abdominal distress and vomiting.
Coccidiosis in kittens treatment. Treatment for kittens affected by coccidiosis includes supportive care for example fluid therapies to combat dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhea and antibiotic treatment. But remember the best coccidia treatment for cats requires maintaining good hygiene along with medication. If the mother cat passes stools that contain coccidiosis cysts the kittens will most likely come in contact with these cysts and ingest them. To treat coccidiosis in a cat clean out your cat s litter box every day and wipe it down with an ammonia based disinfectant twice a week so your cat is less likely to reinfect itself.
Kittens are commonly diagnosed with coccidiosis. The most common drug used to treat coccidiosis is a sulfa class antibiotic sulfadimethoxine. Kittens generally contract this infection when they consume contaminated feces. In order to treat coccidiosis in a cat showing symptoms your cat will need a specific type of anti parasitic medication to kill the parasite.
Also steam clean your home to kill any oocysts that have been carried around the house by your cat. The merck veterinary manual suggests a treatment with sulfonamide antibiotics for a period of six days but depending on the infection your veterinarian may recommend a one to two week antibiotic treatment. Probiotics prebiotics and special diets may also be needed but while coccidia is a very common parasite in cats. Cats are frequently reinfected from the environment so disinfection is important.
It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy kitten to arrive at his new. Entire catteries may become contaminated with kittens of many age groups simultaneously affected. Our rescue is a foster network and we have problems with coccidiosis in kittens several times each year. A shelter that helps us treats coccidiosis with ponazuril 23 mg lb x 3 days.
Usually a drug called trimethoprim sulfonamide is prescribed and given orally to your cat for about a week in order to treat the infection. Infected kittens are also able to pass on the condition to. Once the kitten consumes the cyst the protozoa multiply in the pet s intestines. Treatment is generally outpatient.
It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. The coccidiosis infection is of particular danger for kittens since their immune systems are still underdeveloped. The coccidium parasite will be readily visible under microscopic examination. Kittens are especially vulnerable given their weak immune systems and may quickly become dehydrated.
Coccidiosis is very contagious especially among young kittens. You should also bathe your cat on the first and last day of treatment to kill any oocysts on its fur.