another buyer beware

[Newt]

Isn't "Sulmet" another name for Albon? Albon, Sulmet, or Corrid will all control Coccidia. I don't know how it tastes but when it's in the drinking water they don't have any problem drinking. It's cheap and it works.

[oakhill]

Coccidia (Coccidiosis): A Cause of Diarrhea
Race Foster, DVM
Marty Smith, DVM
Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc.


What are coccidia?


Coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that multiply in the intestinal tracts of dogs and cats, most commonly in puppies and kittens less than six months of age, in adult animals whose immune system is suppressed, or in animals who are stressed in other ways (e.g.; change in ownership, other disease present).

In dogs and cats, most coccidia are of the genus called Isospora. Isospora canis and I. ohioensis are the species most often encountered in dogs. Regardless of which species is present, we generally refer to the disease as coccidiosis. As a puppy ages, he tends to develop a natural immunity to the effects of coccidia. As an adult, he may carry coccidia in his intestines, and shed the cyst in the feces, but experience no ill effects.

How are coccidia transmitted?

A puppy is not born with the coccidia organisms in his intestine. However, once born, the puppy is frequently exposed to his mother's feces, and if the mother is shedding the infective cysts in her feces, then the young animals will likely ingest them and coccidia will develop within their intestines. Since young puppies, usually those less than six months of age, have no immunity to coccidia, the organisms reproduce in great numbers and parasitize the young animal's intestines. Oftentimes, this has severe effects.

From exposure to the coccidia in feces to the onset of the illness is about 13 days. Most puppies who are ill from coccidia are, therefore, two weeks of age and older. Although most infections are the result of spread from the mother, this is not always the case. Any infected puppy or kitten is contagious to other puppies or kittens. In breeding facilities, shelters, animal hospitals, etc., it is wise to isolate those infected from those that are not.

What are the symptoms of coccidiosis?

The primary sign of an animal suffering with coccidiosis is diarrhea. The diarrhea may be mild to severe depending on the level of infection. Blood and mucous may be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances, die from the disease.

Most infected puppies encountered by the authors are in the four to twelve week age group. The possibility of coccidiosis should always be considered when a loose stool or diarrhea is encountered in this age group. A microscopic fecal exam by a veterinarian will detect the cysts confirming a diagnosis.

What are the risks?

Although many cases are mild, it is not uncommon to see severe, bloody diarrhea result in dehydration and even death. This is most common in animals who are ill or infected with other parasites, bacteria, or viruses. Coccidiosis is very contagious, especially among young puppies. Entire kennels may become contaminated, with puppies of many age groups simultaneously affected.

What is the treatment of coccidiosis?

It should be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy puppy to arrive at his new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the puppy has been at the new home for less than thirteen days, then he had coccidia before he arrived. Remember, the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is about thirteen days. If the puppy has been with his new owner several weeks, then the exposure to coccidia most likely occurred after the animal arrived at the new home.

Fortunately, coccidiosis is treatable. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon®) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen®) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Because these drugs do not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid. By stopping the ability of the protozoa to reproduce, time is allowed for the puppy's own immunity to develop and remove the organisms.

How is coccidiosis prevented or controlled?

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, and 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. Mice and other animals can ingest the coccidia and when killed and eaten by a dog, for instance, can infect the dog. Therefore, insect and rodent control is very important in preventing coccidiosis.

The coccidia species of dogs and cats do not infect humans.


I don't know what the active ingredients are for sulmet as I have never heard of it.

Corid 9.6% Solution
Amprolium used in drinking water to treat & prevent Coccidi in calves. The gallon size of this item is overweight and will result in additional shipping charges when order is processed. Call or email for exact shipping charges.

I have always heard that sulfadimethoxine is better.

[JakesPop]

Okay, now can I ask you guys/gals....now that my dogs are back healthy again...thank god......do I sue the breeder for the vet bills??????? I want to so bad........or do I let it go??????

Do what you think is best for you. Then remember buying a pup requires you to do your homework. Always, Always , Always ask about the pups health. Ask specific questions. If you have any doubt at all pass on the pup. I hate it happened to you, but tyou probably got all you are going to get. If the pup and your hounds are ok now, learn from the situation. Something like this can and does happen even when doing all your homework. You may be bitter now, but after you spend your time and a load trying to prove your case, you will learn what bitter is for sure. You knowing the truth yourself should be sufficient. Move on with your hounds. Just my .02 worth.
Pop

[oakhill]

I agree with Pop.

[Newt]

Any new beagler would be wise to read the "Beagle Health" forum and do some research on any beagle malady that is a common occurrence. It will save some worry and in many cases a lot of money.

[lab]

I would not Sue her I know you were out alot of money but I know many have e-mailed you to find out who she was and I am sure that will cost her alot of money down the road. The shame is you are out of alot of money but your dogs are healthy again and you will appreciate them more knowing what they had to go thru. Myself I think we live in a sue happy world so that is why I am against lawsuits. Do what you think you have to do.

[warddog]

I have to agree with Pop and Oakhill in thinking you should probably just cut your losses and move on. If you were to bring rise to a wrong doing by the breeder via a law suit the burden of proof would rest solely upon your shoulders. Being able to prove some negligence on behalf of the breeder would be very remote if not impossible to prove, beings coccidia are so prevelent in the environment. The first thing you would have to establish is that the pup had the coccidia when you received it which would mean you would have to have some sort of documentary evidence to show it was diagnosed within the first 13/14 days of your receiving the pup. The fact that the breeder did not mention this leaves me to believe that you did not specifically ask about coccidiosis either which as I stated is very, very common. In my opinion you will only incur more expenses in legal fees, time and effort then you already have with threating this pup and I doubt you will be able to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the breeder knowingly caused you any loss as the pup has fully recovered.

[HatterasBob]

Goto http://www.beaglesunlimited.com check the beagle health. It will explain everything and tell you how to pay 10% of what it would cost at a vet.

[beagleacres]

I am listening...however...it wouldn't be difficult to prove...she emailed me the puppy had it 3 days after I got the pup, and that is when I took the fecal sample to my vet...and the pup did have it then...soo proving it wouldn't be an issue..I also realize that I should also just listen to you all and learn from my mistakes but who would think to ask does the pup have any diseases????? I never asked that of any other breeders....I just ASSUME (yes I know what that spells out) that most people are upfront about selling pups and will give you what you paid for...a healthy papered pup....

[BriarCreekBeagles]

Beagleacres, At the end of the day you and only you are the only person that has to live with what you decide to do in any situation. So with that being said you handle it how you see fit and make a decision on what you can sleep peacefully with at the end of day.
Whatever your decision is I hope God Blesses in you all that you do

[Honey Pot Hounds]

Okay, now can I ask you guys/gals....now that my dogs are back healthy again...thank god......do I sue the breeder for the vet bills??????? I want to so bad........or do I let it go??????

Let it go! Pups and Cocci are like peas and carrots. Just keep Albon suspension on hand in the future.

http://www.beaglesunlimited.com/beagleh ... diosis.htm

[Rabbit Fever]

As far as i know there is no cure for this you just have to treat it. I have it in my kennel. It only shows once a year for me. All it does is make your dogs stool messy not runny. other than that i dont think it will hurt the dog, My vet has it in his kennel also, thats how i found out about it.