Coccidia in Puppies and Kittens: Signs and Treatment

How pets catch coccidia

An infected animal passes microscopic eggs, called oocysts, in its stool. Fresh stool is not infectious at first. The eggs need time outside the body to mature, from several hours in warm weather to several days in cooler conditions. After that, they can stay infectious for months in damp, sheltered places such as soil and kennel floors.

A puppy or kitten becomes infected by swallowing mature eggs. This can happen by licking the ground, toys, paws or a littermate's fur, or by eating from a dirty bowl. Dogs and cats can also pick up the parasite by eating mice or other small animals that carry a resting form of it. Raw meat from such animals is a less common source.

Most first infections happen early in life, often between three and eight weeks of age. Illness is most often seen in puppies and kittens about two to four months old. It takes roughly 6 to 10 days from swallowing the parasite until eggs start to show up in the stool. Crowding, poor sanitation, a sudden change of diet and the stress of travel or moving to a new home can all make the infection worse. Older animals usually build immunity and rarely get sick, although they can still pass a few eggs.

Signs to watch for

Some infected puppies and kittens show no signs at all. Others develop diarrhea around the time the eggs start appearing in the stool. Common signs include:

• Soft or watery stool, sometimes with mucus
• Blood in the stool in more severe cases
• Poor appetite
• Weight loss, or not gaining weight as expected
• Tiredness and less interest in play
• Belly discomfort
• Vomiting in more severe cases
• Signs of dehydration, such as dry or sticky gums and skin that is slow to settle back when gently lifted

Diarrhea in a young animal has many possible causes, including worms, Giardia, viruses and a sudden change of food. Coccidia can also be present alongside other problems. This is why a stool test tells you much more than the look of the stool.

When it is an emergency

Very young puppies and kittens have small reserves. They can lose fluids quickly, and severe coccidiosis can be fatal in young animals. It is best to contact a vet the same day if a young pet has bloody diarrhea, keeps vomiting, refuses food, seems weak or unusually quiet, or has diarrhea that does not settle. Vomiting, diarrhea and weakness can also be signs of parvovirus in puppies or panleukopenia in kittens. Both are serious viral diseases that need urgent care. Calling the clinic before you go lets the staff prepare and keep other patients safe.

How vets diagnose it

Diagnosis starts with a stool sample. The lab looks for the eggs under a microscope, usually after mixing the sample with a special solution that makes them float to the top. Some clinics also offer antigen tests or PCR, which detect parasite material in the stool.

The freshest sample you can bring gives the best result. A negative result does not always rule coccidia out. Early in an infection the parasite may not be shedding eggs yet, and most animals shed eggs for only about 5 to 10 days. Your vet may ask for a repeat test if signs continue.

A positive result also does not prove that coccidia are causing the diarrhea. Healthy animals can carry a few eggs without being sick. The vet looks at the whole picture, including the pet's age, history, signs and other test results.

How it is treated

Coccidia are single-celled parasites, so they need a medicine that targets them. Your vet will choose the right one for your pet's species, age and health. Depending on the medicine, treatment may be a single dose or a course lasting several days. It is best to follow the vet's instructions and give the full course.

Treating early helps, since the parasite multiplies quickly inside the gut and a sick animal passes a great many eggs. For this reason, vets often recommend treating all littermates and young animals that live together, even the ones without signs.

Pets with diarrhea may also need supportive care. This can include fluids for dehydration, an easily digested diet and keeping young animals warm. Severely ill puppies and kittens may need a stay at the clinic. Mild infections sometimes clear up without medicine, and your vet can decide whether treatment is needed. Home remedies and leftover medicine from another pet are best avoided. Ask your vet before giving anything.

Cleaning up at home

Eggs in the environment are the main reason coccidia keep coming back. The eggs resist many common household disinfectants, so fast removal of stool and thorough cleaning do most of the work. These steps are usually recommended:

• Pick up stool promptly, at least once a day, before the eggs have time to mature.
• Scoop litter boxes at least once a day and wash them regularly.
• Wash bedding, blankets and soft toys often in hot water.
• Wash food and water bowls every day.
• Steam clean hard floors and runs if you can, then let surfaces dry completely. Drying also shortens how long the eggs survive.
• Keep the fur around the tail clean, since stool stuck to the coat can carry eggs.
• Wash your hands after handling stool, litter or a pet with diarrhea.

Your vet can suggest a cleaning product that works against coccidia, since many everyday products do not. For cats, keeping them indoors and controlling mice in and around the home lowers the risk of new infections.

Spread to other pets and people

Coccidia pass easily between young animals of the same species. A puppy can infect other puppies, and a kitten can infect other kittens. Dog coccidia do not infect cats, and cat coccidia do not infect dogs. Adult pets in the home usually have immunity and rarely get sick. Your vet can advise whether they need a stool test too.

The coccidia of dogs and cats do not infect people. Hand washing still matters, because a young animal's stool can carry other parasites that can spread to humans. Extra care makes sense if someone in the home is pregnant, elderly or has a weakened immune system.

Coccidia in rescued and newly adopted pets

Coccidia are found in dogs and cats all over the world, including across Europe. Infection is more common in young animals from crowded places such as shelters, kennels and breeding facilities. The stress of travel and settling into a new home can also make an existing infection flare up.

At Paw Squadron, the first stops after every rescue are the vet and a bath. Each animal gets a checkup, deworming and treatment against fleas and other parasites. Before adoption, every animal also gets treatment, vaccinations and a microchip. Even so, a young animal can pick up coccidia around the time of rescue and only show it later, when a new stool test is done or when the move brings on soft stool.

If your new puppy or kitten has diarrhea in the first days at home, it helps to keep the food the same as before, pick up stool promptly and book a vet visit with a fresh sample. Health records you received with your pet are useful to bring along. If you have questions before or after adopting, see our FAQ or send an adoption inquiry.