COCCIDIAN ENTERITIS IN THE DOG. INTESTINAL COCCIDIOSIS.
Causes. Two parasites have been found in connection with this disease in the dog; the Coccidium penetrans, already described, and the Coccidium bigeminum.
Coccidium Bigeminum, var. Canis. This is elliptical and from 12 to 15 μ long by 7 to 10 μ broad. They are usually found in pairs lying side by side, and sometimes both in the same envelope indicating multiplication by division along the longitudinal axis.
The bigeminum is held to be harmless, but the perforans, as in the cow and rabbit is very injurious and even fatal. The symptoms are those of digestive disturbance, dullness, loss of appetite, retching, vomiting, colic and fœtid and bloody diarrhœa. Irritability, and a morose disposition and loss of control over the hind limbs have been set down as rabiform indications.
Diagnosis depends on the inveteracy and sanguineous nature of the diarrhœa, but especially on the discovery of the amœboid organisms in the recent, warm discharges.
Treatment should be along the same line as in cattle.