surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA
Sep 26, 2003, 7:33 PM
Post #7 of 10
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Re: [LoveMyMaltese, nickcaren] Coccidia : What should I do to control it?
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Hello ...
Sorry to hear your dog is not well ... the usual coccidia found in dogs do not infect humans. However, less common types of coccidia are potentially infectious to humans. And "Cryptosporidium" as you mentioned, may be carried by dogs or cats and may be transmitted to people.
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How to control coccidia?
Oocysts (immature coccidia) are passed in the stool of the dog. They lie in the environment and eventually sporulate (mature) into a more developed oocyst which can infect the dog again. Other dogs, cats, or mice may also become infected. This process can occur in as little as 6 hours, but it usually takes 7-10 days. If the sporulated oocysts are swallowed, they mature in the dog's intestine to complete the life cycle.
*** oocysts are much smaller than the eggs of the intestinal worms.
*** 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, 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. Therefore, insect and rodent control are very important in preventing coccidiosis.
*** Re-infection of dogs is common so environmental disinfection is important. The use of chlorine bleach, one cup in a gallon of water (500 ml in 4 liters) is effective.
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The 2-week confinement is intended to break the life cycle of this protozoan (single celled microscopic parasite that lives within cells of the intestinal lining).
I do understand your concern about wanting to "bond" with your dog over this period ...
Perhaps we can take it step by step and see what can and cannot be done, and see what can be arranged or adjusted.
(A) ONE: Looks like we have to accept that the dog should be confined and kept away from your other pets. Not much choice here.
(B) TWO: From the information above, it's not just cleaning the feces ... even if the bulk of the feces is taken away, the oocysts being so small can (i) be accidentially left behind ... (ii) attach themselves to clothing, bedding or skin ... thus increasing risk of infection and/or re-infection.
So okay, we also accept this. That being so - the dog should only allowed to eliminate in an area you can clean easily with the chlorine bleach solution described above.
Allowing the dog to do it on grass or soil is simply going to increase risk of spreading infection to other pets (unless you wish to keep pouring chlorine on that patch of grass or earth and risk poisoning the area).
(C) THREE: We also accept that if you play with the infected pet, you can inadvertently become a carrier of the oocysts, transferring the parasite from infected dog to your other pets.
Given the above ... what can be done?
Perhaps you can try this:
(i) Cordon off an area (whether a seperate room or fenced off area ... whatever your house/home allows) where the infected dog and crate can be placed. This cordoned off area will also include the elimination area (This will probably mess up any attempt to housetrain - but that's no longer the priority and can be done later). IMPORTANT: This area should be (a) easy to clean with the chlorine bleach solution and (b) inaccessible to your other pets. Treat this area like a Quarantine Area.
(ii) Only you or selected members of the household are allowed into this area ... to feed, clean up and interact with the dog.
(iii) Have slippers especially for use ONLY in this area ... Within this area, you can spend time with the dog ... in as normal a manner as the circumstances permit. When you exit ... leave the slippers behind, go immediately for a wash up and change of clothes before you interact with your other pets.
Ah oh ... might also be good idea to also soak the clothes you use in the area, with mild chlorine bleach solution.
Please check whether your vet approves of the above ...
Cheers & hope your dog gets well soon ... 
(This post was edited by surchinmy on Sep 26, 2003, 8:02 PM)
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