Holistic Health Library
Coccidia are small protozoans that multiply in the intestinal tracts of dogs, cats, goats, and other animals though most commonly in kittens, puppies, kids, and young animals less than 6 months of age, but coccidia can also affect adult animals whose immune system is suppressed or in animals who are stressed in other ways (i.e., change in ownership, other disease present, etc.). Cat and dog coccidia are most often of the genus called Isospora. Isospora canis and I. ohioensis are the species most often encountered in dogs; I. felis and I. rivolta are the most common in cats. Regardless of which species is present we generally refer to the disease as coccidiosis. As a puppy or kitten ages it tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult it may carry coccidia in its intestines, shed the cysts in the feces, but experience no ill effects.
Giardiasis, aka Giardia, are small protozoans that can affect nearly all warm blooded beings, humans and animals. Animals or people can be affected by consuming water or food that is contaminated with giardia cysts. When giardia reach the gastrointestinal tract they swiftly multiply and block the intestinal absorption causing loose, mucousy stools, diarrhea, listlessness, weight loss, dehydration, and can cause scarring in the small intestine, pancreatic insufficiency, and malabsorption syndromes.
People can get giardia infections from their pets. Fecal testing is not as accurate as it should be. People and animals can test negative even when they have giardia infection, so it may take numerous fecal smears to confirm infection.
People and pets that are infected with giardia can get it again, so it is essential to disinfect well. Finding the source of giardia is helpful, as eliminating giardia from your home and property can be difficult as the cysts are very hardy. They can survive standard chlorination protocols for drinking water. They survive freezing down to -13C and in drying fecal material for long periods of time.
A puppy or kitten is born with the coccidia organisms in its intestine. However, once born, the puppy or kitten is frequently exposed to its mother's feces and if the mother is shedding the infective cysts in her feces then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop in their intestines. Since young puppies and kittens, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in large numbers and parasitize the young animal's intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects.
From exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of the illness is about 13 days. Most puppies, kittens, and other animals who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age and older. Although most infections are the result of spread from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected animal is contagious to other animals. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc. it is wise to isolate those infected from those who are not.
Stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy puppy, kitten, foal, or other animal to arrive at its new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the puppy or kitten has been at the new home for less than thirteen days then it had coccidia before it arrived. Remember the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is about thirteen days. If the puppy or kitten has been with its new owner several weeks, then the exposure to coccidia most likely occurred after the animal arrived at the new home. Often, coccidia was present only to surface during the stressful period of the puppy or kitten adjusting to a new home.
The primary sign of a pet suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, lethargic, and in some instances, die from the disease.
Most infected kittens and puppies are in the four to twelve week age group. The possibility of coccidiosis should always be considered when a loose stool or diarrhea is encountered from this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis.
Although many cases are mild it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most common in animals who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Coccidiosis is very contagious, especially among young kittens and puppies. Entire kennels and catteries may become contaminated with puppies and kittens of many age groups simulatneously affected.
Because coccidia is spread by the feces of carrier animals, it is very important to practice strict sanitation. All fecal material should be removed. Housing needs to be such that food and water cannot become contaminated with feces. Clean water should be provided at all times. Most disinfectants do not work well against coccidia; incineration of the feces, and steam cleaning, immersion in boiling water or a 10% ammonia solution are the best methods to kill coccidia. Coccidia can withstand freezing.
Cockroaches and flies can mechanically carry coccidia from one place to another. Mice and other animals can ingest the coccidia and when killed and eaten by a cat, for instance, can infect the cat. Therefore, insect and rodent control are very important in preventing coccidiosis.
The coccidia species of dogs and cats do not infect humans.
Traditional coccidia or giardia veterinary treatment consists of giving Albon (aka Sulfadimethoxine), Flagyl (aka Metronidazole), or Marquis (Ponazuril) for 10 to 14 days. In some cases, numerous 10 to 14 day treatment cycles are needed. Since neither Albon, Flagyl, or Marquis treatment actually kill coccidia or giardia protozoan, they are not always effective. Kocci Free will eliminate these protozoan, even after numerous rounds of Albon and/or Flagyl have been unsuccessful.
Kochi Free (formerly Kocci Free) is known to eliminate coccidia and giardia infections even when numerous rounds of traditional coccidia or giardia treatment has failed! Kochi Free honestly and truly works ALWAYS when used for treatment of coccidia or giardia protozoan.
Kochi Free is an all natural organic herbal treatment remedy with antioxidants formulated to help your pet overcome coccidosis (also known as coccidia or cocci) and giardia (aka giardiasis). This natural Kochi Free (aka Kocci Free) remedy can help your dog, cat, bird, goat, sheep, guinea pig, horse, ferret, rabbit, raccoon, and other animals eliminate coccidia and giardia infection. Kochi Free can help:
Where dogs are vomiting and having diarrhea some dogs would be more comfortable if given Paxaisn in addition to the Kochi Free formula. Paxaid helps calm the stomach, soothe the intestinal tract, boost the immune system, and helps stop vomiting and diarrhea.
Where kittens are vomiting and having diarrhea some kittens would be more comfortable if given Kitty-DT in addition to the Kochi Free formula. Kitty-DT helps calm the stomach, soothe the intestinal tract, boost the immune system, and helps stop vomiting and diarrhea.
For cases that seem to be extremely hard ot treat it is also helpful to use Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth, using the worming doses.
*These statements have not been evaluated by Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this Web site or in emails is designed for educational purposes only. The information on this web site is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician or veterinarian. This information is not intended as a substitute for the reader's independent judgment and personal responsibility. Health issues are far too important to delegate to anyone else. It is highly recommended you research and seek information and counsel from as wide a variety of sources as possible, so you can make well informed educated decisions about you, your child's, or your pet's health, as in the end YOU make the decisions.