Coccidiosis In Kittens

These often cause an intestinal tract infection called coccidiosis 1 2.

Coccidiosis in kittens. Coccidiosis is an intestinal tract infection caused by a one celled organism a protozoa called coccidia. It is also possible to catch cryptosporidium from an infected cat. If left untreated coccidiosis in symptomatic kittens can lead to death. A diagnosis of coccidia in cats and especially kittens can be worrisome.

Change in ownership other disease present. Veterinary attention is needed to ease symptoms and rid the cat of the parasitic infestation. Coccidiosis is a parasitic type of infection caused by the coccidia parasite. Coccidia are a group of single celled protozoa found within the intestinal lining of kittens and cats.

If it is not treated over time it can cause damage to the lining of a cat s intestinal tract. Coccidia invade the gut and irritate the lining of the bowel. Risk factors for coccidiosis include age young kittens at least 2 weeks of age but typically less than 6 months 1 stress always a challenge in a shelter and coinfection with other parasites. However it is possible to become infected with toxoplasmosis from cats which is of particular risk to pregnant women or people with suppressed immune systems.

Kittens who are infected with coccidiosis are contagious and can infect the rest of the litter. Coccidia are a group of single celled parasites called protozoa. Coccidia are small protozoans one celled organisms that multiply in the intestinal tracts of cats and dogs most commonly in kittens and puppies less than six months of age in adult animals whose immune systemis suppressed or in animals who are stressed in other ways e g. With appropriate and prompt treatment the prognosis is good.

Those cats most likely to show symptoms of coccidiosis are young kittens those with weak immune systems or cats kept in crowded unhygienic conditions. Symptoms of coccidiosis appear almost two weeks after the initial infection. Kittens and older cats that are stressed or have a weak immune system are more likely to be affected by coccidia 1 2. Felis which is the most common form of coccidiosis in cats does not affect humans.

In cats most coccidia are of the genus group called isospora. It most commonly causes watery mucus based diarrhea in animals. We do recommend ponazuril as the preferred treatment of coccidia in kittens in a shelter. In kittens coccidiosis infection can cause watery and bloody diarrhea vomiting pain and dehydration followed by rapid weight loss.

This causes stomach cramps loss of appetite and poor growth in young kittens. If those offerings are particularly unpleasant and foul smelling this should be concern as it could be a possible cause of coccidia.