Tool Page - Coccidiosis

"Tool Page" the column designed to give you some useful "Tools" in running a successful kennel.

Note: This dialog was taken from a live forum with Dr. Page at www.usabreeders.com October 23, 2002.

Tool Page Questions:

Q: I've been battling bloody stools in my 13 week old puppies for weeks, we have treated them with all the regularly prescribed antibiotics. Nothing has been found in the stools I've taken to my vet.

Dr. Page: You need a complete physical of your puppies, and a fecal sample taken in the clinic office. A single sample does not necessarily tell you anything, you may have to test several puppies on several different days to find the problem from samples taken in the office. You might try panacur at 1cc per 4 1/2# body weight for 3 days, and repeat in one week. Give Tribrissen or Primor daily for 14 days as per their suggested dosage.

Q: So there is no cure for coccidiosis?

Dr. Page: No there is no cure for coccidiosis. Once you see the signs of diarrhea the coccidia has done its damage and left the puppy, so all you are treating the puppy for is the symptoms of coccidia and giving antibiotics for bacterial infections.

Q: Do puppies out-grow Coccidiosis?

Dr. Page: Yes, as puppies get past 10 to 12 weeks of age they develop a natural immunity to coccidia and do not show illness if exposed as a young puppy.