COCCIDIOSIS ---- A puppy/dog parasite caused by chickens

This is a parasite we feel we need to caution dog owners, especially with young puppies on. Chicken droppings have a very high possibility of infecting any dog (especially young puppies with a parasitic protozoa called coccidia. This is picked up by the dog/puppy from the droppings and/or the general ground that chickens share with these dogs. Adult dogs generally are not adversely affected, but become carriers. This means a dog carrier can deposit these protozoa around the area through their droppings.

Young puppies can contract this nasty protozoa directly from the chickens or from an adult dog who is/has been exposed. In puppies the Coccidia protozoa will cause diarrhea, coughing, and dehydration which, if not controlled and cured will at very least make your puppy quite ill or at it's worst may kill a weakened puppy. This is nothing to oversight! It is always best to think safety. Keep the chickens in a secure area totally away from all dogs access. Eggs are great for us humans but, eggs and chicken meat are not the best for many small dogs and coccidia is bad for all of them.

There are sulfa and other drugs that will usually work well to destroy the coccidia protozoa in the dog's/puppy's bowels but, you may have something in your refrigerator at this moment, that will do the same thing without drugs. That item is "COTTAGE CHEESE". Cottage cheese changes the PH of the intestine, killing the coccidia. This generally works very well and offers NO SIDE EFFECTS as often happens with sulpha drugs. For a young puppy, less than 10 pounds offer 1/2 LEVEL spoonful twice per day (use a spoon like you would use for coffee/cereal) in the morning and the same with his/her evening meal. Do this for 7days. For an older dog of 15-20 pounds, offer one HEAPING spoonful (a spoon like you use for coffee or cereal) in the morning and the same with his evening meal. Do this for 10 days and your dog should be free of coccidia. For a dog of 20-30 pounds, two heaping spoons full twice per day. 30-60 pounds, three heaping spoons full twice per day. 60-150 pounds, five heaping spoons full twice per day for 10 days. Although generally, milk product in large amounts, should not be given to dogs because it can make for loose bowels, the above amounts should not bother your dog that much and you've solved a problem without drugs. Any signs of looseness should resolve themselves within a day or two. A spoonful of "low sugar" yogurt twice per week is great for aiding digestion and keeping the intestines at the proper PH balance. Keep the sugar content per serving (listed on the container) to 10-12 gr. Too much sugar is not good for dogs.

Now! The other side of this coin. The area where your puppy/dog will live/use during the above treatment and afterward, must be cleaned as well as possible. This means ALL excretions from chickens and any other animal must be completely cleaned-up and kept cleaned-up on a daily bases. It will be best if this yard cleaning can be done during hot, dry weather. Heat will aid in killing the protozoa. They require a degree of moisture to survive. The dryer the better. Cut the grass OFTEN and dispose of the clippings well away fro where your dog will be and spread it out to dry or take it to a waste management center. Mowing not only will remove contaminated grass but the "vacuum action" will also help to remove the protozoa from the ground, into the grass bag and out of the area. Be sure you grass bag dries out completely after each use.