PARASITES AND PARASITIC DISEASES OF DOGS 33 



Treatment. — No satisfactory treatment appears to have been estab- 

 lished. Unless the parasites could be removed by the injection of 

 some suitable substance into the nostrils, treatment would appear 

 to be surgical. In default of successful treatment, dogs known to 

 be infested with tongueworms should be destroyed on the ground that 

 they are carriers of parasites which are dangerous to man and injurious 

 to livestock. 



COCCIDIOSIS 



Cause. — Coccidiosis in the dog is due to the presence and effects of 

 very small protozoan parasites. There are four species of these para- 

 sites reported from dogs. Some of them occur in the epithelium of 

 the intestine and some of them under the epithelium in the submucous 

 connective tissue. The parasites undergo certain developments in 

 these tissues and multiply here. Ultimately they develop resistant 

 forms called oocysts (fig. 33) which pass out in the feces and serve to 

 infect other dogs. Cats are occasionally infected with coccidia but 

 such infections are likely to be overlooked. 



Symptoms.- — In light infestations coccidia may cause no perceptible 

 symptoms in dogs or cats, but in heavy infestations diarrhea appears 

 at the time when the oocysts are passing in the feces and it may be 

 accompanied by the passage of blood and gas. 

 There may be a slight rise in temperature during 

 this time. Under unfavorable conditions, as in 

 heavy infestations in very weak or young dogs 

 or those with secondary infections, the animals 

 may die. The diagnosis of coccidiosis depends 

 on the finding of oocysts in the feces. 



Treatment. — No effective treatment for coccid- 

 iosis in dogs or cats is known. However, the 

 disease appears to be self-limited, all of the 

 organisms present developing in the course of 

 time to the oocyst stage and passing out. J^rom ian, isospora rivoita. 

 observations of the senior author this will prob- MSmwSyS; St- 

 ably occur, as a rule, within 2 weeks. There is 

 some evidence indicating that an attack of coccidiosis confers some 

 subsequent immunity. The indicated treatment, therefore, is along 

 the lines of good care and nursing, the animal being fed nourishing 

 food in quantities suited to its condition and protected against un- 

 favorable conditions until the infection terminates. Such symptoms 

 as diarrhea may be controlled by appropriate treatment if necessary. 

 The premises occupied by infected animals must be regarded as in- 

 fected, and thoroughly cleaned; the use of strong, hot coal-tar creosote 

 dips appears to be of value. Heat and drying are destructive to 

 oocysts. As indicated in the introductory paragraphs, preventive 

 measures for this disease and other parasitic diseases are along the line 

 of sanitation, and sanitary preventive measures are primarily the 

 business of the dog or cat owner. In coccidiosis, as in the other 

 diseases, diagnosis and treatment are primarily the affair of the vet- 

 erinarian and the employment of a competent veterinarian is always 

 advisable when diseases are actually present. 



