Understanding Coccidia Maren von der Heyde National Breed

Understanding Coccidia Maren von der Heyde National Breed Supervisor November 2011

What is Coccidia? 1 2 Coccidia is a term for several species of faecally transmitted protozoan parasites that invade and damage the lining of the intestinal wall.

Coccidia Species Coccidia have species specific hosts. The species of Coccidia which infect birds are not contagious to dogs

Coccidia Species Isospora Canis Isospora Ohioensis Isospora Neorivolta Isospora Burrowsi Four species of Coccidia are responsible for Coccidia infections in dogs

Coccidia Lifecycle Coccidia undergo several biological transformations…

Coccidia Lifecycle Immature Oocysts are a hardy environmentally resistant form of the Coccidia parasite. Oocysts are excreted in faeces. They can lie dormant in the environment for many months. Oocyst need to mature before they are infectious.

Coccidia Lifecycle The oocyst matures in the environment. The cells inside the oocyst divide and differentiate many times. Warm, moist conditions are optimal for oocyst maturation. When an oocyst is mature 8 active sporozoites form within the oocyst. This maturation process takes at least 8 hours

Coccidia Lifecycle Sporozoites are released when a mature oocyst is ingested. Sporozoites invade, replicate asexually & destroy the epithelial cells of the small intestine and colon. Coccidians are only able to undergo a fixed number of cell-invasion and asexual replication repetitions.

Coccidia Lifecycle Following the final asexual replication phase, the sporozoites differentiate: • into either a single, very large, female macrogamete or • subdivides itself into many, much smaller, male microgametes.

Coccidia Lifecycle Microgametes are much like human sperm cells and, once mature, they exit their host cell and swim over to other intestinal cells, hunting for mature female macrogametes.

Coccidia Lifecycle The male microgamete enters the intestinal cell holding the female macrogamete and fertilizes it. This sexual reproduction results in the formation of a zygote.

Coccidia Lifecycle A rigid wall forms around the fertilised zygote and, once this wall is firm enough to withstand the harsh world outside of the intestinal tract, it erupts from the intestinal cell and gets shed into the faeces as an oocyst.

Coccidia Lifecycle From the time of ingestion of the mature oocysts it takes 4 -11 days for the first oocysts to appear in the faeces

Coccidia Lifecycle Mature oocysts release eight active Sporozoites invade the epithelial cells of the small intestine and colon where they replicate asexually Oocyst matures before ingested Gametes combine to form an immature oocyst which is expelled in faeces Sporozoites differentiate into female macrogametes and male microgametes

Many thanks again to… VA 1 BSZS Sieger 2011 Remo vom Fichtenschlag

Transmission Coccidia is transmitted when a dog ingests a mature oocyst. Oocysts are expelled in faeces. There are several common transmission routes:

Transmission Fecal-oral The most common transmission route is through the direct ingestion of faeces or the ingestion of food, water or vegetation that has been contaminated by faeces

Transmission Licking Dogs can ingest oocysts when they lick anything that has been in contact with faeces Dogs spread oocysts onto their fur through rolling in or lying on ground soiled by faeces. They then lick their bodies, ingesting the oocysts.

Transmission Transport Hosts: While Coccidia species only infect specific hosts, it is possible for the canine specific Isospora to be transmitted via transport hosts such as rats, birds or lizards…

Transport Hosts 1. A transport host eats dog faeces or vegetation soiled by dog faeces 1. Once ingested the Isospora oocyst hatches & migrates in the host body 2. Since Coccidia is species specific. The host is typically asymptomatic. The Coccida lies dormant within the transport host 3. If a dog eats this host, he/she will now have Coccidia in their system

Transmission: Many adult dogs are carriers of Coccidia but show no symptoms of infection … Carriers do however expel oocysts in their faeces. These oocysts go on to infect other dogs especially puppies.

Transmission: Carriers: The immune system of adult dogs keep the Coccidia population under control. When under stress or if immuno-compromised Coccidia carriers may develop symptoms

Transmission: Mother to puppy: Coccidia is NOT spread via a lactating bitch’s milk to her puppies

Coccidiosis Coccidia invade the surface layer of cells lining the wall of the intestines. Coccidia reproduce rapidly inside these cells causing them to burst & die. This process, causes massive amounts of intestinal cell damage, resulting in Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis 4 Symptoms • Diarrhea: watery stools, blood may be present • In severe cases, weight loss, dehydration, & permanent damage to the small intestine • Vomitting may occasionally be observed

Coccidiosis In the upcoming slides a highly magnified view of the damage caused by Coccidia to the villi of the small intestine will be shown…

Coccidiosis 3 These little matchstick like projections are the VILLI of the small intestine. The villi line the surface of the small intestine and are responsible for the absorption of nutrients

Coccidiosis 5 Day 1: Healthy intestinal villi

Coccidiosis 6 Day 5: Note the damage to the villi

Coccidiosis 7 Day 10: Significant damage due to secondary infections as a result of Coccidia

Coccidiosis Puppy immune systems are not yet fully developed. As such, Coccidiosis is more common and serious in puppies

Coccidiosis Puppies can suffer several complications as a result of Coccidia: • severe dehydration, • blood loss, • secondary bacterial/viral infection They may even DIE without prompt & proper therapy.

Diagnosis A faecal exam is necessary to diagnose Coccidia. Different faecal examination methods can be used. Discuss the best diagnostic methodology with your Veterinarian! It should be noted that oocysts are shed intermittently & thus multiple faecal examinations may be necessary for a conclusive result

Treatment This information is purely educational & does not constitute medical advice. Before adopting ANY medical treatments please consult with your Veterinarian!

Treatment Most antibiotics and anti-coccidial drugs used in Coccidia therapy do not destroy all of the coccidial organisms. Most of them simply kill enough of the organisms that they won't decimate the bowel, thereby buying time for the immune system response to kick in and establish a host-parasite balance and neutrality.

Treatment Diclazuril, trade name Vecoxan® and Coximed® has proven effective in treating Coccidiosis in dogs It should be noted that both Vecoxan and Coximed are not registered for use in dogs. Therefore owners treat their dogs with these drugs at their own risk. Discuss the appropriate treatment with your Vet!

Treatment Suggested Puppy treatment protocol for Breeders Vecoxan® has a dosage of 2. 5 mg of Diclazuril/tablet whereas and Coximed® has 5 mg/tablet In my experience Coximed has proven far more effective and efficient in treating Coccidiosis and is my preferred medication

Treatment Suggested Puppy treatment protocol for Breeders At 4 weeks puppies and dam to be treated with Diclazuril to be repeated in 7 or 10 days depending on the severity of infection

Treatment Suggested Puppy treatment protocol for Breeders After 10 days a faecal flotation must be done, If negative: If positive: Diclazuril treatment to be repeated every 10 days until puppies leave Diclazuril treatment to be repeated every 7 days until puppies leave

Treatment Suggested Puppy treatment protocol for Breeders It is advisable to perform another faecal flotation approximately 3 days before puppies leave to their new homes Moving to a new home is stressful for a puppy. This faecal floatation helps ensure that puppies are healthy and minimises the risk of Coccidiosis as a result of stress

Prevention: While it is impossible to eliminate the risk of Coccidia completely, measures can be taken to help ensure the health & wellbeing of your dogs

Prevention Good Sanitation & Hygiene! ü Remove ALL faeces from the dog’s environment as soon and as often as possible. Isospora oocysts need at least 8 hours to mature and develop into an infective form. Significant control of the parasite can be achieved simply by cleaning out faeces regularly (two to three times daily), prior to the maturation of the oocysts.

Prevention Good Sanitation & Hygiene! ü Clean water and food bowls Dog food and water bowls should not be placed in a position where they can be unintentionally contaminated with fecal material. Elevating bowls and placing bowls out of high traffic areas helps minimise the risk of contamination

Prevention Good Sanitation & Hygiene! ü Thoroughly disinfect Coccidia oocysts are extremely hardy and environmentally resistant. As such it is best to clean & disinfect your kennels and trailers with quaternary ammonia based disinfectants such as F 10, at least once a week.

Prevention Good Sanitation & Hygiene! ü Keep dogs clean to prevent the risk of any fecal contamination via fur

Prevention Suggested hygiene protocol for breeders Bath the dam 3 days before whelping with F 10 Shampoo Bath her again immediately after whelping and then every second day until the bleeding stops

Prevention Suggested hygiene protocol for breeders Whelping box must be disinfected before and after whelping. The whelping box should be throughly cleaned and disinfected at regular intervals post whelping

Prevention Suggested hygiene protocol for breeders Wash puppies regularly (every morning if possible) before feeding with F 10 shampoo, especially the bums and paws After feeding, clean puppy paws again in case they stepped into their food bowl

Prevention Diet & Holistic Health ü Ensure your dog has a well balanced diet, which is high in fibre. This will help to ensure healthy digestion & prevent Coccidia infection. Good overall health will also ensure that a dog’s own immune system can fight parasitic threats

Prevention Raw meat ü While the risk is low it is possible for dogs to contract Coccidia through the consumption of raw meat (Remember Coccidia can be transmitted by transport hosts). Be cautious and vigilant if feeding dogs a raw diet.

Bibliography 1. E. Ward, DVM, Coccidia, viewed 10 November 2011, http: //mypuppycare 101. com/members/puppy-health/worms-and-intestinalparasites/coccidia/ 2. Pet Wellbeing. com, Dog Coccidia, viewed 10 November 2011, http: //pethealth. petwellbeing. com/wiki/Dog_Coccidia 3. Science Photo library, Small intestine microvilli, SEM, viewed 10 November 2011, http: //www. sciencephoto. com/media/310018/view 4. S. O’Meara DVM, Veterinary Advice Online - Coccidia Infection. Coccidiosis in dogs, cats and other animals. , viewed 10 November 2011, http: //www. petinformed-veterinary-advice-online. com/coccidiosis-in-dogs. html 5. H. C. Mundt, No olvide la coccidiosis, Bayer. Vet Venezuela, viewed 10 November 2011, http: //www. bayervet. net/vz_008_02. html 6. H. C. Mundt, No olvide la coccidiosis, Bayer. Vet Venezuela, viewed 10 November 2011, http: //www. bayervet. net/vz_008_02. html 7. H. C. Mundt, No olvide la coccidiosis, Bayer. Vet Venezuela, viewed 10 November 2011, http: //www. bayervet. net/vz_008_02. html

Many thanks to Emeritus Professor: Department of Veterinary Tropical diseases Joop Boomker for graciously sharing his wealth of knowledge

Compiled by: Karishma Bhoolia in consultation with the Parasitological Society of Southern Africa And Emeritus Professor Department of Veterinary Tropical diseases Joop Boomker

Questions?