Sorry to hear of your problems...
As you may have learned by now, coccidia are small protozoans (one-celled organisms) that may exist in the intestinal tracts of many animals (most, actually). It is when the numbers get high that the host animals may have ill effects - the most common being diarrhea. Blood and mucous may also be present, especially in advanced cases. Severely affected animals may also vomit, lose their appetite, become dehydrated, and in some instances, die from the disease.
As an adult an animal may carry coccidia in its intestines, shed the cysts in the feces, but experience no ill effects. Usually the immune system has encountered this parasite when the animal was younger and has adjusted to allow for small numbers. However if other animals come in contact with those cysts, they can become infected as well.
It should also be mentioned that stress plays a role in the development of coccidiosis. It is not uncommon for a seemingly healthy animal to arrive at its new home and develop diarrhea several days later leading to a diagnosis of coccidia. If the animal has been at the new home for less than thirteen days, then it had coccidia before it arrived. Remember the incubation period (from exposure to illness) is about thirteen days.
So before you accuse a breeder of causing this, make sure all the numbers add up.
Fortunately coccidiosis is treatable when diagnosed early. Drugs such as sulfadimethoxine (Albon) and trimethoprim-sulfadiazine (Tribrissen) have been effective in the treatment and prevention of coccidia. Because these drugs do not kill the organisms, but rather inhibit their reproduction capabilities, elimination of coccidia from the intestine is not rapid.
It is a devastating problem - yes. I still remember the first time we dealt with this parasite. We had been raising chameleons for years - never had such a problem. Then someone sent us some bearded dragon babies (all showing signs of the ill when they arrived). I took them to the vet right away and got educated about it.
Fortunately, we lost only a few of the small dragons - but we treated everything that was in that herp room. Weighing the dragons, calculating the dosages and measuring the meds took hours. Thank goodness we were careful not to contaminate the other herps.
Oh... just a note: Most disinfectants do not work well against coccidia. Incineration of the feces, and steam cleaning or immersion of cage items in boiling water or a 10% ammonia solution are the best methods to kill coccidia. Coccidia can even withstand freezing.
I hope all your animals get better soon.
