parvo vs coccidiosis

Question
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Followup To
Question -
Why do these two seem to have the exact symtoms? Why is one so misdiagnoised as the other? If there is no treatment for parvo except fluids why then run the risk just treat for  coccidiosis with albon and flagyl instead. It seems this is one of the biggest "scams" vets are pulling on people.


Thanks so much for the response and I have learned a great deal more about Parvo. However it still leaves me wondering. Over the period of 2 years I have watched a group of 7 puppies (different times, different litters) The first two were from a litter of reg. germ sheps.  I kept one my friend took the other one out of town. Within 24 hours both had the same symptoms. Vomiting a clear liquid almost mucous like, no appetite, lethargic, and looks like they lost 15 pounds over night. Which then progresses to a bloody stool.  I took mine to the vet, he took a stool sample announced Parvo and she was put to sleep. My friend took hers to the vet in her town she was diagnosed with Coccidiosis given meds and is now a happy dog. I went through 2 mutt pups had the same symptoms and I watched them die an agonizing death within a 48 hour period on a weekend not knowing what was going on. (the bitch to this litter was bad about bringing these puppies dead squirrels home and putting them in the box) but the pups were to small to eat them. About 6 months later another puppy from another place died same age around 4 months same symptoms. Next one of my pups was fine he was at the age every morning I get ready for work he was attacking my bedroom slippers. This morning he was in the recliner listless refusing to move. That afternoon after work he was really bad and I took him to the emergency hours vet. She did a stool sample we argued she said maybe parvo I said give me meds for Coccidiosis she did pup is fine today. Then about two months ago another puppy my daughter dragged home same symptoms we gave her pedialite and pepto that night every 3 hours next morning went to vet ask for meds for coccidiosis gave them to her she is fine today. I just dont understand which or what must be at my place. I live on 10 acres, have horses, the dogs stay inside some at night, during the day they have run of a chain linked fence area front yard of about an acre or more.

Answer
You certainly have had a real problem with this which is very unusual.  Rabbit and bird droppings are very common sources of coccidia too, so even with a fence these critters are likely to be on your property and infesting the soil.  I would recommend that you take stool samples to the vet regularly to be checked.  Obviously, puppies have a weaker immune system and can be affected more seriously than adults.  In puppies, dehydration occurs VERY quickly even if they only have had one or two episodes of vomiting or diarrhea.  I am not sure if you are breeding dogs?, but if you are then I would suggest that you routinely give all your pups a 10 day course of Albon at 6-8 weeks of age and make sure to also give it to the mother at that time as she is cleaning the puppies she will also infect herself from ingesting their stool.  And make sure to recheck stool samples.