| | | | | no signs of the parasite herself. |
| Coccidia is a common problem in Shih Tzu and other | | | | |
| breed. It is most serious in cattle, sheep, goats, pigs | | | | Diagnosis under microscope can be difficult. It is not |
| and poultry. In dogs, cats, and horses, it is less | | | | always possible to find coccidia in single fecal |
| often diagnosed, but can result in clinical illness in | | | | samples. Multiple fecal examinations may be required |
| some animals, which includes the Shih Tzu. | | | | to make a definitive diagnosis under microscope. |
| Coccidiosis is actually “always” present | | | | |
| among canines, but not all dogs or Shih Tzu show | | | | Treatment of coccidia |
| clinical signs of the disease. Shih Tzu puppies and | | | | |
| other breeds of puppies as well are especially | | | | The life cycles of Eimeria and Isospora (the germs |
| susceptible to coccidiosis and it can be fatal for a | | | | that cause coccidian) are considered self-limiting and |
| puppy. | | | | end spontaneously within a few weeks unless a |
| | | | | re-infection occurs. In other words your Shih Tzu |
| Symptoms of coccidiosis include: | | | | and Shih Tzu puppies could have coccidia and recover |
| | | | | without any kind of treatment. It is important to |
| - Diarrhea | | | | remember that coccidia is most likely forever present |
| - Fever | | | | wherever there is more than one and especially |
| - Loss of appetite | | | | several Shih Tzu adults and/or puppies. |
| - Weight loss or no weight gain | | | | |
| - Emaciation | | | | A good rule to follow is to always treat very young |
| - Sometimes death, especially in Shih Tzu or other | | | | Shih Tzu puppies, or Shih Tzu puppies at least 6 |
| dog breed puppies | | | | weeks of age with 5 to 10 days of medication such |
| | | | | as Albon. Prompt medication may slow or inhibit |
| Clinical coccidia is most prevalent under the following | | | | development of stages that may result from |
| conditions: | | | | re-infection (which could be the case of a nursing |
| | | | | adult Shih Tzu mom) and thus shorten the length or |
| - Poor nutrition | | | | magnitude of the illness. A treatment plan such as |
| - Poor sanitation or overcrowding | | | | this will also alleviate or prevent diarrhea, lessen the |
| - After the stresses of weaning, shipping, sudden | | | | likelihood of secondary infections and death. |
| changes in feed or severe weather changes | | | | |
| | | | | Sick Shih Tzu or Shih Tzu puppies should be isolated |
| Shih Tzu can acquire coccidia between one month of | | | | (this would be Shih Tzu definitely showing signs of |
| age and one year of age. Older Shih Tzu is usually | | | | infection of the parasites that cause coccidia. |
| resistant to clinical signs, but may have sporadic | | | | Sulfonamides has been reported to give excellent |
| symptoms and may remain carriers. This is | | | | clinical results in beef and dairy, calves, sheep, dogs |
| especially true of Shih Tzu mothers who can pass | | | | and cats. |
| coccidia onto her offspring during nursing, yet show | | | | |