The flesh of animals killed while suffering from this affection has been eaten by man with impunity.
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.
COCCIDIAN ENTERITIS IN RABBITS. INTESTINAL COCCIDIOSIS.
Causes. In rabbits the coccidium perforans is the psorosperm which usually attacks the bowels. The coccidium oviforme which produces hepatic coccidiosis is also occasionally found in the intestines. The perforans is smaller than in cattle being 15 to 25 μ long, by 12 to 15 μ broad, approximating to the variety found in man.
Lesions. There is extensive congestion of the intestinal mucosa, with thickening and softening of the epithelium so that it breaks down into a pulp under pressure, also free desquamation with the formation of abrasions, sloughs and ulcers. In some instances extensive croupous casts of the intestine are found. As in the other animals the coccidium is found abundantly in the epithelial cells of the affected parts which swell up and degenerate. When the parasite has escaped from the cells it lives free in the abundant mucopurulent and sanguineous secretions of the bowels.