Bouvier Des Flandres Forum:
RE: Briarlea

The first year with a puppy is quite similar to the first year with a new baby--they tend to get lots of little problems because their immune systems aren\'t fully developed. It's to be expected. This should be considered when taking on the responsibility of owning a pet. Young puppies are FREQUENTLY infected with coccidia and often develop active Coccidiosis -- even puppies obtained from DILIGENT, RESPONSIBLE, REPUTABLE, PROFESSIONAL breeders. Infected puppies almost always have received the parasite from their mother's feces. Typically, healthy adult animals shedding the parasite\'s oocysts in their feces will be asymptomatic because of their developed immune systems. **However, undeveloped immune systems make puppies more susceptible.** Further, stressors such as NEW OWNERS, TRAVEL, WEATHER CHANGES, AND UNSANITARY CONDITIONS are believed to activate infections in susceptible animals. Symptoms in young dogs are universal: at some point around 2-3 months of age, an infected dog develops persistently loose stools. This diarrhea proceeds to stool containing liquid, thick mucus, and light colored fecal matter. As the infection progresses, spots of blood may become apparent in the stool, and sudden bowel movements may surprise both dog and owner alike. Coccidia infection is so COMMON that any pup under 4 months old with these symptoms can almost surely be assumed to have coccidiosis. Fortunately, the treatment is INEXPENSIVE, EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE, AND ROUTINE. A veterinarian can easily diagnose the disease through low-powered microscopic examination of an affected dog's feces, which usually will be replete with oocysts.

One of many easily administered and inexpensive drugs will be prescribed, and, in the course of just a few days, an infection will be eliminated or perhaps reduced to such a level that the dog's immune system can make its own progress against the infection. Even when an infection has progressed sufficiently that blood is present in feces, permanent damage to the gastrointestinal system is rare, and the dog will most likely make a complete recovery without long-lasting negative effects. Before becoming alarmed/upset I would definitely get a second opinion on the diagnosis of CHD as not all vets graduated at the top of their class or have the same diagnostic skills. Method of testing does make a difference too.