Coccidia Question

[beardielover17]

I go to a ton of different forums and this one I go on had a thread/flame war on Coccidia and whether it was always naturally in the gut of a dragon or not. I was always under the impression that there would always be some present but in extremely small amounts. Even my school books said it when I did a bit on parasitology. I was wondering if any of you know whether or not it is true that there is always some naturally present in a dragon or if it is just constantly contracted from something. In addition, what would happen if there was a complete absence of it in a dragon?

 

[li]

Yes coccidia is found naturally in a beardie. It is what helps the digestion. That is why when we give antibiotics we say to give a probiotic. Because the antibiotic can take all the coccidia away. Coccidia can elevate due to parasites and even stress. You don't want to treat for it unless the numbers are high enough. I believe the key number is 4. Anything under...don't treat.

 

[clh321]

ditto

 

[ladyknite]

in addition to what li said.........................

I preach balance. The equality of both good and bad gut flora. If the bad will exist, then so will the good.

We know what happens when the bad gut flora becomes over abundant. It affects appetite, the intestinal tract, digestion enzymes and all internal working matter. But what exactly happens when the good bacteria becomes overburden? It's a rare occurance, but it does happen. It's reaction is just as defined as the over growth of coccidia.

 

[Pogie]

But what exactly happens when the good bacteria becomes overburden? It's a rare occurance, but it does happen. It's reaction is just as defined as the over growth of coccidia.

OK please bear in mind that I am an undercover blonde ;D Does this mean that the symptoms are the same?

 

[ladyknite]

similar enough that it would require testing or trial and error to know if the later exists at that time. It's most commonly diagnosed when all symptoms are present, but there is no overgrowth of (bad) flora.

 

[beardielover17]

Thanks for the input guys and gals!