If these oocysts are accidentally eaten by your pet, they break open in the intestine and release new organisms which move to the intestinal wall. There these new organisms multiply rapidly and become either new oocysts to be passed out again with the stool or they return to another cell and multiply. Your infected pet is both increasing the number of internal coccidia organisms and contaminating the environment at the same time. Although small amounts of Coccidia are not dangerous, once they begin reproducing they begin to destroy your pet's intestinal cells. Some can move to the liver and brain and destroy cells there as well.
Symptoms can include bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, listlessness, dehydration and weight loss.
However, your pet may exhibit no signs of infection at all. Only a stool check can determine if your pet is infected. As with all intestinal parasite infections, puppies and kittens are most at risk. How to Prevent Coccidia Clean up your pet's stools. Consult with one of our veterinarians.