How did my dog or cat become infected with coccidia?
Oocysts (immature coccidia) are passed in the faeces of the dog or cat. They remain in the environment and eventually sporulate (mature) into a more developed oocyst which can infect the dog or cat again. Other dogs, cats, or mice may also become infected. This process can occur in as little as 6 hours, but it usually takes 7-10 days. If the sporulated oocysts are swallowed, they mature in the animal’s intestine to complete the life cycle. If the oocysts should be swallowed by a mouse, the dog may also become infected by eating the mouse.
