Post by huronna on Oct 25, 2008 7:54:00 GMT -5
Information courtesy of Kim Sikorski
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Coccidiosis is caused by a parasite that infects the lining of the intestinal track. The parasite is a one celled organism called Coccidia and is classified as protozoa. Often confused with worms they are actually microscopic parasites.
Coccidia is highly contagious to cats, dogs and to other ferrets and small animals in the home. Humans are also succeptible to some strains. Coccidia can be picked up from the environment or from other infected animals. Coccidia is diagnosed through a fecal sample testing. Diarrhea and dehydration are symptoms. Treatment should be given for 10 consecutive days and another fecal sample tested a week after treatment ends to be sure the Coccidia is gone.
Thank you to Kim Sikorski for the following valuable information concerning this disease. (Reprinted here with Kim's permission):
Coccidia can be treated with Flagyl (Metronidazole is the generic) or the much more palatable Albon, which my vet prefers. Metronidazole is incredibly bitter and getting it down a ferret is nearly impossible.
As for feeding, I would supplement with some extra protein in the form of chicken or beef soup. I'd also make sure that the ferret did continue to drink a lot of fluids, (... since diarrhea is a symptom), to prevent any dehydration. Once the meds kick in and kill off the parasites, the diarrhea should subside.
Coccidia is very contagious to other ferrets and pets. If there are other ferrets, some serious disinfecting will need to be done, and treatment all the ferrets for the coccidia is also necessary.
You should bleach all the litterboxes and surfaces that aren't porous, and wash bedding daily, for at least ten to fourteen days. Water bottles/bowls and food bowls also need to be bleached daily, too. Remember to rinse everything thoroughly to remove all traces of bleach before ferrets use these things again.
If the ferrets have access to an area, that will also need to be cleaned/bleached since they can carry the parasites on their feet from the litterbox to the floor and reinfect themselves. For that reason if they live in a carpeted area, I'd suggest switching them to playing on linoleum until this is over and cleaning the carpets with a dilute bleach mixture...really dilute so it doesn't ruin the carpets, or a parvocide like Roccal or Nolvosan from the vets.
Also remember to rinse everything extra thoroughly to remove any traces of bleach before the ferrets use these things/areas.
Bleach Mixture: One cup of bleach per gallon of water, "ultra" bleach is twice as strong, so 1/2 cup to a gallon. On carpets, it should be more diluted to prevent any color loss.
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Research Credits: Kim Sikorski,
Pet Education.com, www.pethealthcare.net/html/body_coccidiosis.html and Ferret Universe
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Coccidiosis is caused by a parasite that infects the lining of the intestinal track. The parasite is a one celled organism called Coccidia and is classified as protozoa. Often confused with worms they are actually microscopic parasites.
Coccidia is highly contagious to cats, dogs and to other ferrets and small animals in the home. Humans are also succeptible to some strains. Coccidia can be picked up from the environment or from other infected animals. Coccidia is diagnosed through a fecal sample testing. Diarrhea and dehydration are symptoms. Treatment should be given for 10 consecutive days and another fecal sample tested a week after treatment ends to be sure the Coccidia is gone.
Thank you to Kim Sikorski for the following valuable information concerning this disease. (Reprinted here with Kim's permission):
Coccidia can be treated with Flagyl (Metronidazole is the generic) or the much more palatable Albon, which my vet prefers. Metronidazole is incredibly bitter and getting it down a ferret is nearly impossible.
As for feeding, I would supplement with some extra protein in the form of chicken or beef soup. I'd also make sure that the ferret did continue to drink a lot of fluids, (... since diarrhea is a symptom), to prevent any dehydration. Once the meds kick in and kill off the parasites, the diarrhea should subside.
Coccidia is very contagious to other ferrets and pets. If there are other ferrets, some serious disinfecting will need to be done, and treatment all the ferrets for the coccidia is also necessary.
You should bleach all the litterboxes and surfaces that aren't porous, and wash bedding daily, for at least ten to fourteen days. Water bottles/bowls and food bowls also need to be bleached daily, too. Remember to rinse everything thoroughly to remove all traces of bleach before ferrets use these things again.
If the ferrets have access to an area, that will also need to be cleaned/bleached since they can carry the parasites on their feet from the litterbox to the floor and reinfect themselves. For that reason if they live in a carpeted area, I'd suggest switching them to playing on linoleum until this is over and cleaning the carpets with a dilute bleach mixture...really dilute so it doesn't ruin the carpets, or a parvocide like Roccal or Nolvosan from the vets.
Also remember to rinse everything extra thoroughly to remove any traces of bleach before the ferrets use these things/areas.
Bleach Mixture: One cup of bleach per gallon of water, "ultra" bleach is twice as strong, so 1/2 cup to a gallon. On carpets, it should be more diluted to prevent any color loss.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research Credits: Kim Sikorski,
Pet Education.com, www.pethealthcare.net/html/body_coccidiosis.html and Ferret Universe
