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Coccidiosis is a parasitic disease of the intestinal tract of animals caused by coccidian protozoa. The disease spreads from one animal to another by contact with infected feces or ingestion of infected tissue. Diarrhea, which may become bloody in severe cases, is the primary symptom. Most animals infected with coccidia are asymptomatic, but young or immunocompromised animals may suffer severe symptoms and death. While coccidia can infect a wide variety of animals, including humans, birds, and livestock, they are usually species-specific. One well-known exception is toxoplasmosis caused by ''Toxoplasma gondii''.〔(【引用サイトリンク】 title=Parasitology 6 - Phylum Apicomplexa - Coccidia, Eimeria, Toxoplasma, Cryptosporidium, etc. )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】 title=Coccidiosis )〕 Humans may first encounter coccidia when they acquire a young puppy or kitten that is infected. Other than ''T. gondii'', the infectious organisms are canine and feline-specific and are not contagious to humans, unlike the zoonotic diseases. ==Coccidia in dogs== Puppies are frequently infected with coccidia from the feces of their mother, and are more likely to develop coccidiosis due to their undeveloped immune systems. Stress can trigger symptoms in susceptible animals.〔(【引用サイトリンク】 title=Coccidia Treatment for Puppies )〕 Symptoms in young dogs include diarrhea with mucus and blood, poor appetite, vomiting, and dehydration. Untreated disease can be fatal. Treatment is routine and effective. Diagnosis is made by low-powered microscopic examination of the feces, which is generally replete with oocysts. Readily available drugs eliminate the protozoa or reduce them enough that the animal's immune system can clear the infection. Permanent damage to the gastrointestinal system is rare, and a dog will usually suffer no long-lasting negative effects. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Coccidiosis」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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