That bunny ain't dropping Easter eggs

Years ago, pregnant with my first child and having no veterinary training yet, I acquired a young Nubian goat kid with diarrhea. Fecal testing revealed a protozoan parasite referred to generically as coccidia. A cautious expectant mother, I asked my physician if exposure to goat coccidia was harmful to my unborn baby. When he reported back that goat coccidia (Eimeria spp.) are "host specific" -- meaning goat Eimeria are contagious only to other goats -- I was very relieved.


Flash forward a decade and I find myself, now an animal doctor, doling out this same information to dog owners on a regular basis. Finding microscopic coccidia eggs on an annual fecal float test is not uncommon. Dogs may pass Isospora or Eimeria eggs in their stool, but as with goats these coccidia parasites are "host specific." As I explain this to horrified pet owners, they are relieved to hear it is not contagious to them or their children.

A small sampling of the oodles of eggs
-- coccidia, not Easter -- being passed by two
sick bunnies I saw this month. 

Identifying the presence of coccidia is easy. Now here's where it gets tricky. Remember that coccidia are "host specific." If a dog tests positive for an Isospora-type coccidia it may require treatment because Isospora is a dog coccidia. But if an Eimeria-type coccidia is seen, the dog is simply pooping out the coccidia that a rabbit once pooped out. Quickly differentiating between Isospora from Eimeria based on subtle differences in size or ornamentation takes practice and experience. Nevertheless, seeing as nibbling rabbit poop is a pretty common canine past time, chances are pretty good that many dogs are pooping out a non-canine coccidia.*

Many animals host coccidia without any outward signs of illness. In fact, sickness generally occurs only in very young animals during times of stress. As in my goat kid, coccidiosis may cause severe diarrhea. My yellow Labrador developed screaming diarrhea a few days after we brought him home as a puppy thanks not only to Isospora spp. but also to the stress of leaving his litter. Some of my canine patients--puppy or adult--that test positive for coccidia have unexplained scooting or butt licking without abnormal stools. A short course of treatment for coccidia often relieves all these symptoms.

I recently examined two very young bunnies with diarrhea and lack of appetite. These baby bunnies had been turning up their twitching little noses at hay and pellets for several days, eating nothing but carrots (a treat, not a balanced meal). The day I examined them they had been passing liquid orange stool for several hours. Not having had an occasion to test a pet rabbit's stool before, I was unsure of what I would find. Imagine my surprise when I focused my microscope on the fecal float slide to find hundreds of oval eggs. Coccidia! Eimeria-type no doubt. Treatment with anti-coccidia medication--a teeny tiny portion of the average dog dose--was started immediately, and the owner decided to provide additional nursing care at home.

What fascinates me about this case is not so much identifying rabbit coccidia -- as I explained, we veterinarians see it all the time as an incidental finding on canine fecal floats. It's just that I had never seen so much of it in one place. And never had I paused to think about what the rabbit coccidia might do to the rabbit! The story of these two very sick baby bunnies overwhelmed by coccidia has given this parasite a face and personal meaning to me.


* Cats can be infected with or shed coccidia in their stool as well including various species of Isospora or Eimeria which are not contagious to people. 

The ABC's of Anal Glands

Anal glands are probably one of the most mysterious and misunderstood anatomical features of dogs and cats (yes, cats!) Barely a day goes by that I don't address an anal gland question.

Anatomy
The anal glands are little sacs just inside of the dog or cat's rectum. If the rectum is a clock face, the glands reside at approximately 4 o'clock and 8 o'clock positions.

Physiology
Normally the anal glands are emptied each time the dog or cat defecates. But as many pet owners know, anal glands can spontaneously empty of their odiferous contents--usually on the couch cushion, car seat or owner's bed--when the pet is startled or upset. This stinky secretion is yet another way animals communicate through scent, much like urine marking.

Pathology
Most dogs and cats do not need their anal glands expressed on a regular basis by human intervention. Pets that have a bout of diarrhea or chronic soft stools sometimes have anal gland problems. Occasionally a pet's unique anatomy (i.e., the position and opening of the glands internally; obesity) may inhibit proper emptying. Finally, some pets with repeated anal gland problems actually have an underlying allergy. This is a complicated issue that should be discussed with your veterinarian

Classic Scooting

Symptoms
When the anal glands do not empty fully the contents can build up. The dog or cat may lick their butt excessively or drag their bum on the ground in an effort to release the pressure. If these efforts fail the secretions become thicker and harder to expel and may become infected. Some pets with infected anal glands present with ruptured and draining abscesses on their hinder -- ouch!

Treatment
Pets that scoot or lick their behind excessively should have their anal glands checked. Gentle manipulation of the anal glands by a trained professional expresses the contents and gives the pet relief. Additional medication or therapy may be needed if the anal glands are infected or inflamed. Depending on the pet's history, weight loss, diet change or fiber suppplements may be needed.

Prognosis
Some dogs and cats have one or two episodes of anal gland difficulties during their lifetime which are easily managed. However, some pets require frequent anal gland expressions to keep them comfortable, and some pets wind up having their anal glands surgically removed.

Differential Diagnoses
Scooting is not always because of an anal gland problem. As mentioned before, allergies can cause itchy rear ends, and scooting in these animals can continue even after surgical removal of the anal glands. I have also seen itchy butts in pets afflicted with intestinal parasites such as round worms!

My Prescription
If your pet has an itchy butt, don't be shy about it. Talk to your veterinarian! Examination and a detailed history can do wonders to bring your pet relief and prevent a recurrence.