Frances-Simoun
A-a-e-r-u
So I have a monograph that I have to prepare for tomorrow, I already have the information. In English since every information I find in trustworthy sources (books, articles,veterinary manuals ect). So now I need to organize it, but it's like having a writters block. So could some members help me organize it? You just need to read it and be like add this to this part or that part.
The topic is Coccidosis in Guinea Pigs, to give you a brief explanation, Eimeria caviae is a parasite that is only in guinea pigs and it's one of the various subspecies of the coccidia parasite itself. I'm studying Veterinary Technician so I had to pick a topic that has to do with my degree. I'll post here the information I have gathered. If i'm able to get help I'll try(only got 100 so) to tip some tbt for taking the time to help a gal out
Now onto the research information, that will later be translated to Spanish but I can do that on my own since Spanish is my first language.
Summary:
Coccidiosis is a usually acute invasion and destruction of intestinal mucosa by protozoa of the genera Eimeria or Isospora. Clinical signs include diarrhea, fever, in appetence, weight loss, emaciation, and in extreme cases, death. However, many infections are subclinical. Coccidiosis is seen universally, most commonly in young animals housed or confined in small areas contaminated with oocysts. Coccidia are opportunistic pathogens; if pathogenic, their virulence may be influenced by various stressors. Therefore, clinical coccidiosis is most prevalent under conditions of poor nutrition, poor sanitation, or overcrowding, or after the stresses of weaning, shipping, sudden changes of feed, or severe weather. For guinea pigs the genus is Eimeria Caviae and it?s the only one that appears in this animal.
Pathogenesis:
Infection results from ingestion of infective oocysts. Oocysts enter the environment in the feces of an infected host, but oocysts of Eimeria and Isospora are unsporulated and therefore not infective when passed in the feces. Under favorable conditions of oxygen, humidity, and temperature, oocysts sporulate and become infective in several days. During sporulation, the amorphous protoplasm develops into small bodies (sporozoites) within secondary cysts (sporocysts) in the oocyst. When the sporulated oocyst is ingested by a susceptible animal, the sporozoites escape from the oocyst, invade the intestinal mucosa or epithelial cells in other locations, and develop intracellularly into multinucleate schizonts (also called meronts). Each nucleus develops into an infective body called a merozoite; merozoites enter new cells and repeat the process. After a variable number of asexual generations, merozoites develop into either macrogametocytes (females) or microgametocytes (males). These produce a single macrogamete or a number of microgametes in a host cell. After being fertilized by a microgamete, the macrogamete develops into an oocyst. The oocysts have resistant walls and are discharged unsporulated in the feces. Oocysts do not survive well at temperatures below ∼30?C or above 40?C; within this temperature range, oocysts may survive ≥1 yr.
Morphology:
Eimeria caviae is the only member of the genus found in guinea pigs. Oocysts are ellipsoidal to subspherical, with a smooth, brownish wall and no micropyle, and they measure 17.6 ? to 24.2 ? long by 12.1 ? to 19.8 ? wide (average: 19.3 ? long by 16.5 ? wide). An oocyst residuum is present but a polar granule is absent. Oocysts are unsporulated when passed in the feces. Sporulation occurs in five to 11 days at 18?C to 22?C, although shorter sporulation times have also been reported. Each oocyst contains four sporocysts measuring 11 ? to 13 ?m long by 6 ? to 7 ?m wide. Each sporocyst contains two sporozoites.
Host:
Eimeria caviae has been reported from domestic and wild guinea pigs throughout the world. At one time prevalence rates as high as 100% in laboratory colonies were recorded; however, improved management has greatly reduced the prevalence of this parasite.
Life Cycle.
The life cycle of E. caviae is typical of the genus, and is described in Chapter 2, Biology of the Protozoa. The prepatent period is 11 to 12 days and the patent period is approximately seven days55,60,61.
Pathologic Effects.
In severe infections, necropsy findings include hyperemia, edema, petechial hemorrhages in the colonic mucosa, and white or yellow plaques in the colon and, depending on severity, the cecum. Intestinal contents may be watery or contain formed feces and blood may or may not be present. Microscopically, developmental stages are present in intact epithelial cells and free in the lumen. Epithelial sloughing may occur. Dilated cystic crypts of Lieberk?hn may be present.
Clinical Disease.
Clinical signs are generally not present unless the infection is severe. As with other enteric coccidial infections, diarrhea is among the first clinical signs observed. Anorexia and rough hair coat are usually present as well. These clinical signs usually start about 11 days post-infection and abate within a week. However, in severe cases, death may result.
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.
Diagnosis is by identification of oocysts in fecal flotations. Identification of organisms in mucosal scrapings or histologic sections taken at necropsy can also be performed. Sulfadimethoxine (25 to 50 mg/kg every 24 hours for 10 to 14 days) and sulfamethazine have been used successfully to control infections15,60. Infections can be reduced through proper sanitation, reducing stress, and providing
proper nutrition. Eimeria-free guinea pig colonies have been established by placing caesarian-derived offspring into strictly controlled housing conditions63.
Public Health Considerations.
Eimeria caviae does not infect humans.
Second part from another source:
Coccidiosis in Guinea Pigs
Until recent years the parasitic disease Coccidiosis was not often seen in guinea pigs. It now is a more common condition many guinea pigs across Australia can suffer from. It is unsure of the reason as to why the number of cases have increased over the years but poor hygiene and keeping practices alongside backyard breeding and lack of quarantine procedure by pet shops and the like when introducing new guinea pigs to an enclosure with others, have all played a part in this highly contagious and deadly disease now flourishing and becoming more widespread.
Coccidiosis will result in death of the guinea pig within as little as 3-4 days if left untreated or not treated promptly. The disease needs prompt medical attention, strict sterilisation of surroundings and anything that an infected guinea pig has come in contact with, alongside strict hand and clothing disinfection when handling the infected guinea pig.
Coccidia are microscopic spore-forming, single celled organisms that inhabit the intestinal tract of many different species of animals. Every animal species has its own strain of Coccidia which can only be carried by their species. Guinea pig coccidia are called Eimeria caviae. Once ingested by an animal, coccidia live and reproduce within the cells of the intestinal walls.
Some guinea pigs can carry Coccidia their entire lives in a subclinical form whereby they do not present with symptoms and may not develop the actual disease of Coccidiosis but may ingest and shed occyts into the environment continually.
Coccidia thrive and survive the most in dark areas with no sunlight, wet and damp areas.
Coccidiosis the disease will arises when the coccidia multiply in large numbers within an already infected guinea pig or whereby a guinea pig has ingested sporulated occyts from their environment.
Situations that can preclude the onset of the disease Coccidiosis can include changes in diet, stress placed on the animal, compromised immune system/illness, pregnancy, wet/damp environment, cage overcrowding, unsanitary living conditions whereby the guinea pig continually is excreting and re-ingesting occyts. Young guinea pigs and weak/old guinea pigs are most at risk.
Coccidia oocyts can remain in the environment for many years and are difficult to eradicate as as they are resistant to most forms of sterilisation.
Cause:
Coccidiosis is considered highly contagious if you have other animals living with an infected animal. It is spread via faeces and by ingestion orally.
As an example, a guinea pig not carrying Coccida, could walk through infected faeces or contaminated ground from an infected guinea pig and then ingest occyts by licking or cleaning themselves.
Once an animal is infected the oocyts will sporalate and rapidly produce in large numbers in the intestines. Within a short time span thousands of cells can become infected and destroyed. Due to the damage internally, the intestinal function of the animal will be disrupted greatly. An animal only needs to swallow a single oocyt in the environment in order to contract the disease.
Symptoms:
- Sudden onset of very runny diarhrea in acute cases. The diarhrea will have a strong sweet/odd smell and sometimes will contain blood.
- A noticeable sweet/odd smell within the guinea pigs enclosure prior to the onset of diarhrea.
- Rapid weight loss (within as little as 24hrs) and noticable protrusion of the guinea pigs hip bones.
- Sunken eyes / dehydration
- depressed/hunched appearance
- loss of appetite
- stomach cramps
- septicemia and death as a result of secondary bacterial infection
- Death if left untreated. Death can result within as little as 3 days if the guinea pig is only young or in poor condition to begin with.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is via fecal float or culture taken from a sample of droppings/diarrhea at your vet.
Treatment:
Coccidiosis in guinea pigs is treated with the Piglet form of Baycox prescribed by your vet. The dosage is .4ml per kilo once a day orally for three days. Repeat in 10 days time. The antibiotic Trbrissen/Bactrim is a little less harsh on the guinea pigs body for those that are in a critical state and can also be used to treat Coccidiosis although will not completely rid the animal of the occyts altogether Small numbers of occyts will remain.
Isolate the infected guinea pig away from others in a plastic or metal base/easy to sterilise enclosure. If your guinea pig is housed with other guinea pigs you will need to treat all other guinea pigs as well as a precaution.
While in treatment make sure that all food and hay in your guinea pigs enclosure is kept off the ground as much as possible to prevent your guinea pig from re-ingesting oocyts and in turn re-infecting themselves. Make sure your guinea pigs bedding is kept very clean and changed daily for the same reason.
Wear gloves or wash hands thoroughly after handling the infected guinea pig. If your clothing comes in contact with the infected guinea pig make sure to rinse clothing in ammonia and/or place in washing machine at 90 degrees as a precaution.
Disinfection:
All items in your guinea pigs environment (including housing, water bottles, accessories, your own clothing, grounds) that may be contaminated should be sterilised via the following method. Many disinfectants will not penetrate the shell that protects the occyts hence why there are only few methods available that have been proven to kill oyctts in the environment.
All infected bedding should be should be burned or disposed of appropriately and carefully.
Method 1: Soak items in a 10% pure ammonia solution. You can purchase ammonia or from most supermarkets. Leave items to soak in a sunny position or in a sink for at least 30 minutes and then rinse. Ammonia is one of the only products known to kill Coccidia occyts.
Method 2: Disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium compounds have been found to kill Coccidia oocysts. Let items soak in the solution for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Steam cleaning and boiling items have been tried but this has not been proven as an effective method.
If your guinea pig has been in contact with your own lawn it may be very difficult to eradicate the occyts from the environment completely. You may spray your lawn with pure Ammonia in hopes that it will help somewhat.
The topic is Coccidosis in Guinea Pigs, to give you a brief explanation, Eimeria caviae is a parasite that is only in guinea pigs and it's one of the various subspecies of the coccidia parasite itself. I'm studying Veterinary Technician so I had to pick a topic that has to do with my degree. I'll post here the information I have gathered. If i'm able to get help I'll try(only got 100 so) to tip some tbt for taking the time to help a gal out
Now onto the research information, that will later be translated to Spanish but I can do that on my own since Spanish is my first language.
Summary:
Coccidiosis is a usually acute invasion and destruction of intestinal mucosa by protozoa of the genera Eimeria or Isospora. Clinical signs include diarrhea, fever, in appetence, weight loss, emaciation, and in extreme cases, death. However, many infections are subclinical. Coccidiosis is seen universally, most commonly in young animals housed or confined in small areas contaminated with oocysts. Coccidia are opportunistic pathogens; if pathogenic, their virulence may be influenced by various stressors. Therefore, clinical coccidiosis is most prevalent under conditions of poor nutrition, poor sanitation, or overcrowding, or after the stresses of weaning, shipping, sudden changes of feed, or severe weather. For guinea pigs the genus is Eimeria Caviae and it?s the only one that appears in this animal.
Pathogenesis:
Infection results from ingestion of infective oocysts. Oocysts enter the environment in the feces of an infected host, but oocysts of Eimeria and Isospora are unsporulated and therefore not infective when passed in the feces. Under favorable conditions of oxygen, humidity, and temperature, oocysts sporulate and become infective in several days. During sporulation, the amorphous protoplasm develops into small bodies (sporozoites) within secondary cysts (sporocysts) in the oocyst. When the sporulated oocyst is ingested by a susceptible animal, the sporozoites escape from the oocyst, invade the intestinal mucosa or epithelial cells in other locations, and develop intracellularly into multinucleate schizonts (also called meronts). Each nucleus develops into an infective body called a merozoite; merozoites enter new cells and repeat the process. After a variable number of asexual generations, merozoites develop into either macrogametocytes (females) or microgametocytes (males). These produce a single macrogamete or a number of microgametes in a host cell. After being fertilized by a microgamete, the macrogamete develops into an oocyst. The oocysts have resistant walls and are discharged unsporulated in the feces. Oocysts do not survive well at temperatures below ∼30?C or above 40?C; within this temperature range, oocysts may survive ≥1 yr.
Morphology:
Eimeria caviae is the only member of the genus found in guinea pigs. Oocysts are ellipsoidal to subspherical, with a smooth, brownish wall and no micropyle, and they measure 17.6 ? to 24.2 ? long by 12.1 ? to 19.8 ? wide (average: 19.3 ? long by 16.5 ? wide). An oocyst residuum is present but a polar granule is absent. Oocysts are unsporulated when passed in the feces. Sporulation occurs in five to 11 days at 18?C to 22?C, although shorter sporulation times have also been reported. Each oocyst contains four sporocysts measuring 11 ? to 13 ?m long by 6 ? to 7 ?m wide. Each sporocyst contains two sporozoites.
Host:
Eimeria caviae has been reported from domestic and wild guinea pigs throughout the world. At one time prevalence rates as high as 100% in laboratory colonies were recorded; however, improved management has greatly reduced the prevalence of this parasite.
Life Cycle.
The life cycle of E. caviae is typical of the genus, and is described in Chapter 2, Biology of the Protozoa. The prepatent period is 11 to 12 days and the patent period is approximately seven days55,60,61.
Pathologic Effects.
In severe infections, necropsy findings include hyperemia, edema, petechial hemorrhages in the colonic mucosa, and white or yellow plaques in the colon and, depending on severity, the cecum. Intestinal contents may be watery or contain formed feces and blood may or may not be present. Microscopically, developmental stages are present in intact epithelial cells and free in the lumen. Epithelial sloughing may occur. Dilated cystic crypts of Lieberk?hn may be present.
Clinical Disease.
Clinical signs are generally not present unless the infection is severe. As with other enteric coccidial infections, diarrhea is among the first clinical signs observed. Anorexia and rough hair coat are usually present as well. These clinical signs usually start about 11 days post-infection and abate within a week. However, in severe cases, death may result.
Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention.
Diagnosis is by identification of oocysts in fecal flotations. Identification of organisms in mucosal scrapings or histologic sections taken at necropsy can also be performed. Sulfadimethoxine (25 to 50 mg/kg every 24 hours for 10 to 14 days) and sulfamethazine have been used successfully to control infections15,60. Infections can be reduced through proper sanitation, reducing stress, and providing
proper nutrition. Eimeria-free guinea pig colonies have been established by placing caesarian-derived offspring into strictly controlled housing conditions63.
Public Health Considerations.
Eimeria caviae does not infect humans.
Second part from another source:
Coccidiosis in Guinea Pigs
Until recent years the parasitic disease Coccidiosis was not often seen in guinea pigs. It now is a more common condition many guinea pigs across Australia can suffer from. It is unsure of the reason as to why the number of cases have increased over the years but poor hygiene and keeping practices alongside backyard breeding and lack of quarantine procedure by pet shops and the like when introducing new guinea pigs to an enclosure with others, have all played a part in this highly contagious and deadly disease now flourishing and becoming more widespread.
Coccidiosis will result in death of the guinea pig within as little as 3-4 days if left untreated or not treated promptly. The disease needs prompt medical attention, strict sterilisation of surroundings and anything that an infected guinea pig has come in contact with, alongside strict hand and clothing disinfection when handling the infected guinea pig.
Coccidia are microscopic spore-forming, single celled organisms that inhabit the intestinal tract of many different species of animals. Every animal species has its own strain of Coccidia which can only be carried by their species. Guinea pig coccidia are called Eimeria caviae. Once ingested by an animal, coccidia live and reproduce within the cells of the intestinal walls.
Some guinea pigs can carry Coccidia their entire lives in a subclinical form whereby they do not present with symptoms and may not develop the actual disease of Coccidiosis but may ingest and shed occyts into the environment continually.
Coccidia thrive and survive the most in dark areas with no sunlight, wet and damp areas.
Coccidiosis the disease will arises when the coccidia multiply in large numbers within an already infected guinea pig or whereby a guinea pig has ingested sporulated occyts from their environment.
Situations that can preclude the onset of the disease Coccidiosis can include changes in diet, stress placed on the animal, compromised immune system/illness, pregnancy, wet/damp environment, cage overcrowding, unsanitary living conditions whereby the guinea pig continually is excreting and re-ingesting occyts. Young guinea pigs and weak/old guinea pigs are most at risk.
Coccidia oocyts can remain in the environment for many years and are difficult to eradicate as as they are resistant to most forms of sterilisation.
Cause:
Coccidiosis is considered highly contagious if you have other animals living with an infected animal. It is spread via faeces and by ingestion orally.
As an example, a guinea pig not carrying Coccida, could walk through infected faeces or contaminated ground from an infected guinea pig and then ingest occyts by licking or cleaning themselves.
Once an animal is infected the oocyts will sporalate and rapidly produce in large numbers in the intestines. Within a short time span thousands of cells can become infected and destroyed. Due to the damage internally, the intestinal function of the animal will be disrupted greatly. An animal only needs to swallow a single oocyt in the environment in order to contract the disease.
Symptoms:
- Sudden onset of very runny diarhrea in acute cases. The diarhrea will have a strong sweet/odd smell and sometimes will contain blood.
- A noticeable sweet/odd smell within the guinea pigs enclosure prior to the onset of diarhrea.
- Rapid weight loss (within as little as 24hrs) and noticable protrusion of the guinea pigs hip bones.
- Sunken eyes / dehydration
- depressed/hunched appearance
- loss of appetite
- stomach cramps
- septicemia and death as a result of secondary bacterial infection
- Death if left untreated. Death can result within as little as 3 days if the guinea pig is only young or in poor condition to begin with.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is via fecal float or culture taken from a sample of droppings/diarrhea at your vet.
Treatment:
Coccidiosis in guinea pigs is treated with the Piglet form of Baycox prescribed by your vet. The dosage is .4ml per kilo once a day orally for three days. Repeat in 10 days time. The antibiotic Trbrissen/Bactrim is a little less harsh on the guinea pigs body for those that are in a critical state and can also be used to treat Coccidiosis although will not completely rid the animal of the occyts altogether Small numbers of occyts will remain.
Isolate the infected guinea pig away from others in a plastic or metal base/easy to sterilise enclosure. If your guinea pig is housed with other guinea pigs you will need to treat all other guinea pigs as well as a precaution.
While in treatment make sure that all food and hay in your guinea pigs enclosure is kept off the ground as much as possible to prevent your guinea pig from re-ingesting oocyts and in turn re-infecting themselves. Make sure your guinea pigs bedding is kept very clean and changed daily for the same reason.
Wear gloves or wash hands thoroughly after handling the infected guinea pig. If your clothing comes in contact with the infected guinea pig make sure to rinse clothing in ammonia and/or place in washing machine at 90 degrees as a precaution.
Disinfection:
All items in your guinea pigs environment (including housing, water bottles, accessories, your own clothing, grounds) that may be contaminated should be sterilised via the following method. Many disinfectants will not penetrate the shell that protects the occyts hence why there are only few methods available that have been proven to kill oyctts in the environment.
All infected bedding should be should be burned or disposed of appropriately and carefully.
Method 1: Soak items in a 10% pure ammonia solution. You can purchase ammonia or from most supermarkets. Leave items to soak in a sunny position or in a sink for at least 30 minutes and then rinse. Ammonia is one of the only products known to kill Coccidia occyts.
Method 2: Disinfectants containing quaternary ammonium compounds have been found to kill Coccidia oocysts. Let items soak in the solution for a minimum of 20 minutes.
Steam cleaning and boiling items have been tried but this has not been proven as an effective method.
If your guinea pig has been in contact with your own lawn it may be very difficult to eradicate the occyts from the environment completely. You may spray your lawn with pure Ammonia in hopes that it will help somewhat.
