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What is Coccidiosis?
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.
What is Giardiasis?
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.
How are coccidia transmitted?
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.
How did my pet get coccidiosis?
Stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy puppy, kitten, 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.
What are the symptoms of
coccidiosis? 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.
What are the risks?
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.
How is coccidiosis prevented or controlled?
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.
What is the traditional veterinary treatment for coccidia or giardia? Traditional coccidia or giardia veterinary treatment consists of giving Albon (aka Sulfadimethoxine) or Flagyl (aka Metronidazole) for 10 to 14 days. In some cases, numerous 10 day cycles are needed. Since neither Albon or Flagyl 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.
KOCCI FREE can help:
What are Kocci Free's natural
remedy ingredients? Kocci Free contains human grade
anti-microbial and anti-parasitic herbs: Olive leaf - An excellent anti-microbial
that will kill viruses and bacteria across the board.
Animal Weight Kocci Free under 3 lbs. 2 drops 3 to 10 lbs. 5 drops 11 to 20 lbs. 10 drops 21 to 149 lbs. 15 drops 150 to 249 lbs. 20 drops or 1 cc/ml 250 to 349 lbs. 25 drops or 1/4 tsp. 350 to 449 lbs. 30 drops 450 to 549 lbs. 35 drops 550 to 649 lbs. 40 drops or 2 cc/ml 650 to 749 lbs. 45 drops 750 to 849 lbs. 50 drops or 1/2 tsp. 850 to 949 lbs. 55 drops 950 to 1049 lbs. 60 drops or 3 cc/ml 1050 lbs. and up **See below** **Suggested Use for larger animals such as horses, elephants,
giraffes, etc.:Add an additional 5 drops of the Kocci Free for each additional
100 pounds of the animal's body weight to each dose. Please note: 100 drops = 1
tsp.; 50 drops = 1/2 tsp.; 25 drops = 1/4 tsp. A one (1) ounce bottle of Kocci
Free contains approximately 1080 drops and a 4 ounce bottle contains
approximately 4,320 drops. Suggested Use:
Mustard seed - Used in fevers, colds, influenza with anti-parasite
properties.
Black seed - An overall tonic herb known for its effects on teh
respiratory system, stomach and intestinal tract, kidney and liver, and the
circulatory and immune system.
Pau d'arco - South American herb that is used for parasites and fungus.
Anti-bacterial. Large doses or continued use of this herb can cause miscarriage
in pregnant animals.
Cloves - Anti-parasitic, disinfectant, pain reliever, tonic, carminative,
and antiseptic.
Grapefruit seed extract - Anti-parasitic and soothes the intestinal
tract.
Alcohol - Brings out the properties in the herbs and preserves the
tincture.
Distilled water.
Suggested Preventative Use: Kocci Free can be given twice a day for 10 days. Begin using a few days before and after a show or boarding at a kennel or when your pet has been exposed to another animal with a viral, bacterial, fungal, or microparasite infection. For prevention of coccidia and giardia in puppies and kittens, begin 10 day dosing schedule after weaning. This can help prevent your animal from coming down with the infection. Although this is not a guarantee, using Kocci Free as a preventative works well to help prevent disease, if dosed preventatively as soon as you know your pet has been exposed to infection.
Suggested Immune System Enhancement Use: Give 2 times daily.
Suggested Use for SEVERE Coccidia or Giardia Infections: In MOST cases, it will take only a 10 day treatment to rid your pet of Coccidia or Giardia. Infact, we have NEVER had a customer have to treat their animal(s) for coccidia with Kocci Free more than one full 10 day treatment. However, if you have a crowded situation (i.e., kennel, farm, unclean property, etc.) you may have to do a 10 day on and 10 day off cycle program. This program consists of Kocci Free and Parvaid (for dogs, horses, and other animals except cats) or Kocci Free and Kitty Distempaid (for kitties, bobcats, lynx, and other feline species). Give both products for 10 days, then go off for 10 days (be sure to cleanse the premises well during treatment). Go back on for another 10 days. You will do this until you have completed 3 ten day cycles. Refer to chart below:
|
10 Day Cycle |
Kocci Free |
Parvaid or Kitty Distempaid |
|
1st 10 days |
Give 4x/day |
Give if needed |
|
2nd 10 days |
Do not give |
Do not give |
|
3rd 10 days |
Give 4x/day |
Give if needed |
|
4th 10 days |
Do not give |
Do not give |
|
5th 10 days |
Give 4x/day |
Give if needed |
Where dogs are vomiting and having diarrhea some dogs would be more comfortable if given Parvaid in addition to the Kocci Free formula. Parvaid 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 Distempaid in addition to the Kocci Free formula. Kitty Distempaid helps calm the stomach, soothe the intestinal tract, boost the immune system, and helps stop vomiting and diarrhea.
Kocci Free has a 4 year shelf life.
How much Kocci Free will you need?
Serving Size - See Chart Below
| Pet Weight | Kocci Free | Servings Per 1 oz. Bottle | # of Pet's Treated |
| Under 3 lbs. | 2 drops | 540 | 13.5 |
| 3-10 lbs. | 5 drops | 216 | 5.4 |
| 11-20 lbs. | 10 drops | 108 | 2.7 |
| 21-150 lbs. | 15 drops | 72 | 1.8 |
| 151-250 lbs. | 20 drops | 54 | 1.4 |
Chart is based on a 4 times daily for 10 days treatment plan.
Note: Each above dose is less than 1ml.
Tinctures are denoted at 1:4 each having 17% alcohol using organic herbs.
CLICK HERE TO FIND A KOCCI FREE RETAILER
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