Coccidia (plural coccidiosis) are single-celled parasites that can cause short-term diarrhea, especially in young animals. The diarrhea usually resolves within a few weeks, but the eggs (oocysts) can remain in the environment for years and infect other animals.
Coccidia can survive well both on pasture and in stables. Alpacas and llamas have no natural resistance to coccidiosis, which means they contribute to increasing infection levels each year.
There are many different types of coccidia, but only a few cause illness. Depending on the type of coccidiosis the alpaca is infected with, the symptoms can be mild or very severe. Symptoms of coccidiosis include depression, lethargy, reduced appetite, sudden weight loss due to dehydration, profuse heavy or dark brown foul-smelling diarrhea, and in many cases the animals die.
Because coccidia are often fatal in alpacas and llamas, we recommend that you always contact your own veterinarian if your alpaca or llama shows symptoms. In many cases, life-supportive care is needed to treat coccidiosis in alpacas and llamas.
Coccidia can be detected through worm testing. At Worm&Co, we routinely check for coccidia. It is important to carry out worm examinations frequently (4 times a year) so that a coccidia infection can be detected at an early stage. Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions; we are happy to help.
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