WHAT ON EARTH ARE COCCIDIA?
Coccidia are single celled organisms that infect the intestine. They are microscopic parasites detectable on routine fecal tests in the same way that worms are, but coccidia are not worms and are not susceptible to deworming medications. They are also not visible to the naked eye. Coccidia infection causes a watery diarrhea that is sometimes bloody and can be a life-threatening problem to an especially young or small pet. WHERE DO COCCIDIA COME FROM? Oocysts (pronounced o’o-sists), like those shown above, are passed in stool. In the outside world, the oocysts begin to mature or sporulate. After they have adequately matured, they become infective to any host (dog or cat) that accidentally swallows them. To be more precise, coccidia come from fecal-contaminated ground which is prevelant today with the practice of farming and fertilization with fecal substances and raw sewage. They are swallowed when a pet grooms/licks the dirt off itself. In some cases, sporulated oocysts are swallowed b
