Coccidia

Coccidia is a gastrointestinal parasite which affects the lining of the ferrets intestinal track and can cause bloody diarrhea. This disease is usually due to poor sanitation and can be picked up from the environment.

While not transmittable to humans, it can affect dogs and cats, as the eggs that are shed in the stool usually do not become infectious for at least 24 hours.

Symptoms can include:

• Stool has a very strong odor (most frequent symptom)

• Diarrhea (often accompanied with a prolapse rectum) that can contain mucous, sometimes with blood

• Weight loss

• Dehydration

• Lethargy

Untreated, Coccidia will continue to affect the intestinal lining causing a thickening and ferrets may also have enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes. It can be life threatening in kits, while adults can tolerate and get over this infection (diarrheas is generally the most consistent sign).

Diagnosis is usually done by a fecal float.

Ferrets usually respond very well to Albon which is usually administered 50mg/kg orally on day 1 followed by 25mg/kg for the next 9 days. Sub-Q fluids might need to be administered as well to keep the ferret well hydrated. As this disease can be transmitted to all other ferrets, cats and dogs in the house, it is usually best to treat all animals. Constant cleaning of the litter box, bedding, cage area and environment will also be key in eradicating the parasite.