What are the symptoms and manifestations of coccidiosis in dogs?

When your beloved dog suddenly becomes listless and loses his appetite, you will always be anxious as an owner. Canine coccidiosis is a common intestinal parasitic disease that often harms the health of dogs silently. Only by understanding its symptoms and manifestations can you discover it in time and give your dog effective treatment and care.

Canine coccidiosis is caused by coccidia of the genus Eimeria or Isospora. These tiny parasites will multiply in large numbers in the dog's intestines, destroy the intestinal mucosal cells, and seriously affect the dog's digestive and absorption functions and physical health. Puppies and dogs with low immunity are more likely to become targets of coccidiosis. Once infected, the body will show a series of obvious discomfort symptoms.

From the perspective of digestive system symptoms, diarrhea is one of the most typical manifestations of canine coccidiosis. The number of bowel movements of sick dogs will increase significantly, and the feces will become soft and shapeless, and even watery in severe cases. These abnormal feces not only emit a pungent and unpleasant odor, but sometimes also contain blood or mucus. Seeing the usually lively and cute dog excrete such feces, the owner is full of heartache and worry. Because of the invasion of coccidia in the intestine, the intestinal mucosa is damaged and bleeding, which leads to blood in the stool. The appearance of mucus is a substance secreted by the intestine to protect itself and reduce stimulation. Frequent diarrhea will cause the dog to quickly lose a lot of water and electrolytes, causing dehydration, which will endanger life.

Loss of appetite is also a common symptom of canine coccidiosis. Dogs who were originally enthusiastic about food and excited when they heard that dinner was about to start will become less interested in food after being infected with coccidia. Even the favorite snacks in the past can't arouse its interest. This is because coccidia mess up in the intestines, destroy the normal digestive environment, make the dog's stomach and intestines feel uncomfortable, and naturally lose the desire to eat. Long-term loss of appetite will prevent the dog from taking in enough nutrition, resulting in gradual weight loss and the body becoming thin and weak. Looking at the dog's increasingly thin body, the owner often blames himself for not noticing its abnormality in time, and wishes he could bear this pain for it.

In addition to digestive and dietary symptoms, dogs infected with coccidia will also have obvious changes in their mental state. The little guy who was originally lively and energetic will become listless, always lying on the ground lazily, and will not be interested in everything around him. He will no longer run and jump actively when playing, and will be slow to respond when interacting. This is because the physical discomfort caused by coccidia infection consumes a lot of the dog's physical strength and energy, making it feel exhausted. In addition, intestinal pain and discomfort will also affect the dog's mood, making it irritable. When the owner calls it, it just shakes its tail weakly, and its pitiful appearance makes the owner's heart ache.

Some dogs infected with coccidia will also have symptoms of vomiting. The stomach is affected by intestinal inflammation, and reverse peristalsis will occur, vomiting the contents of the stomach. Vomiting will not only make the dog's body weaker, but may also cause further dehydration. Repeated vomiting will also damage the dog's esophagus and throat, causing it more pain. In addition, due to impaired intestinal function, the dog's ability to absorb nutrients decreases, and symptoms of vitamin and mineral deficiency may occur, such as rough and dull hair and skin problems.

When the dog is found to have the above symptoms, the owner must take it to the pet hospital for examination and diagnosis in time. Doctors usually examine the stool and observe the presence of coccidia oocysts under a microscope to confirm whether the dog is infected with coccidiosis. Once diagnosed, it is necessary to actively cooperate with the doctor for treatment, give the dog anthelmintics on time, and take good care of it. During the treatment process, the owner should give the dog more care and care, provide it with a warm and comfortable resting environment, ensure adequate drinking water and nutrition intake, and help it recover as soon as possible.

Although canine coccidiosis will cause pain to the dog, as long as the owner observes carefully, discovers in time, and uses scientific methods for treatment and care, it will definitely help the dog overcome the disease. Every dog ​​is an indispensable partner in the owner's life. They give us endless joy and companionship. We should also stick with them when they are sick and protect their health with love.