Sorry to butt in, I need help here - Page 1

Not a newbie, but a new one at this Coccidia and Giardia...OMGosh!!!  This is a first for me and I am struggling here with all of the info. I have rceived and somewhat confused. # 1 do I treat for Coccidia/Coccidiosis before I treat for Giardia ???  # 2 Can they be treated together?? My puppies are in a completely different area than my adult dogs and with what I have read bathe, clean clean disinfect everything they come in contact with and treat....Albon for Coccidiosis. x 5 to 7 days....Giardia Flagyl.x 5 to 7 days..or Panacur x 3 days. # 3 Can I start treating my puppies ages 8 weeks to 11 weeks which currently I have 11, and then start treating my adults the following week or do I have to treat my entire kennel at the same time? I only have 15 adults, but my kennel runs are rock and I am assuming I need to clean/disinfect everything, ground, fence, house's etc.  I'm not even sure I have a problem Dah!!!!   Actually I shipped out a pup Oct 26th on a Friday and by Monday he was having all of the signs for Coccidiosis, his vet check showed both positive for C and G, given what I have read he would have had to have been in contact prior to being shipped. I feel so bad that one of my babies and his new family are going through this, what I have found out to be a terriable contagious parasite/bacteria. I had the vet out today for a full puppy check up and did find Cocidiosis in one runt pup, but nothing else. I know it is a lot of work to get this all in check, but better safe than sorry, I just need some advise and help for the correct treatment plan. Thanks  Dawgma

Wow, that's a lot going on at once. With that many variables I would definately go with what the vet advises. I know it seems overwhelming to try to sort it all out, all the more reason to go with a methodical treatment that is going to encompass all of these ages. I would think the vet would have given a treatment plan? If not, I would check into another opinion.

As an aside do a message search of these problems and there are a lot of practical suggestions on how to kill it from the environment and what products/procedures work best. 

Good luck with it,

Dawgs

Do not feel bad, it happens to the many of us. What many do not know and vets don't seem to tell you, is that Coccidia, even when treated, and shows no viable sign after treatment, NEVER goes away. It is always there. If a bitch had coccidia at any time in her life, she can most definitely pass it on to her young. Coccidia can also have a "flare up" when stress is introduced. I have had several pups over the  years that were incorrectly diagnosed with coccidia, when they didn't have it.

You can treat coccidia and giardia at the same time, not a big deal. The two very often go hand in hand. The important thing is to have it diagnosed. Keeping in mind that most vets prescribe Albon, which is a normal treatment. HOWEVER, Albon is a sulfer drug, which means if there is already some level of dehydration, you will see issues of dehydration continue. Usual course of treatment is Albon, and Sub Q fluids, which are easily administered at home. Also ask your vet to get a RX for the local pharmacy for subqs , it is cheaper than going through the vet. Additionally, during the course of treatment, you will want to have an antibiotic to help treat the intestines. PLUS, this is the important thing, a low residue feed. Most vets will say hills ID. Most pups and dogs don' t care for that. I am not a fan of low quality Eukanuba, BUT, they do make a low residue dog kibble, that really works well during this time, AND helps the dog retain nutrients that are lost. Oh almost forgot, depending on the severity of the coccidia, treatment is usually 30 days of Albon and Amox.