Signs of Coccidia in Dogs

Coccidia are single-celled organisms that can make your puppy or dog mildly to fatally ill. Six genera of Coccidia can infect dogs, and within each genus are multiple species. The most common of these species to infect dogs are Isospora canis and Isospora ohioensis. However, Cryptosporidium parvum may also be problematic. Many dogs often show no signs of infection; when they do, it is generally most evident in puppies, although older dogs may also have signs.

  1. Diarrhea

    • When dogs do show signs of Coccidia infection, one of the most common sign is diarrhea, which is the primary sign of coccidiosis in many animals. Diarrhea can range from extremely soft and loose stools to liquid. The severity of the diarrhea depends on the degree of the infection with the mildest infection associated with the least amount of signs. In advanced cases, there may be signs of mucous and blood in the stool as well as a strong odor.

    Vomiting

    • While occasional vomiting in dogs is not unusual, if it becomes a regular occurrence or in conjunction with diarrhea or loss of appetite, it should become a cause of concern. Vomiting is often a sign that there is some form of small intestinal disorder that may have parasitic involvement, according to the Handbook of Small Animal Gastroenterology. It is one of the potential signs of this infection, particularly with dogs that have an advanced case of it.

    Loss of Appetite

    • An infected dog may have a loss of appetite if the infection is severe enough. If the dog is unable or unwilling to eat, it could result in a weight loss and weakness as the dog fails to get the nourishment that its body requires. Even if there are no other signs of infection, seek out medical treatment if your dog will not eat.

    Dehydration

    • Water loss from excessive and continuous liquid diarrhea may result in dehydration. The risk of dehydration also increases if the dog is vomiting frequently. This is seen as one of the more deadly signs of Coccidia infection and often occurs in the most severe cases when treatment has not been sought. Seek treatment for severe dehydration as soon as possible as this could result in the death of the dog.