Is It Just a Stomach Upset? The Hidden Danger of Isospora canis
What Is Isospora canis? It is a parasitic protozoon , which infects the intestines of dogs. These single-cell microorganisms are not the worms and cause a condition referred to as coccidiosis . The disease is asymptomatic for adult dogs but dangerous and possibly deadly for puppies whose immune system is still in development Isospora Canis||vetinsight pk Classification & Morphology Phylum: Apicomplexa Target Site: Small Intestine (specifically the epithelial cells). Morphology: Isospora oocysts have either ellipsoidal or ovoid shape. In their mature (sporulated) state, each individual oocyst has two sporocysts, each containing four sporozoites. 2. Life Cycle of Isospora Canis Life cycle of Isospora canis is mainly direct; however, paratenic hosts may be involved (for example, rats): Ingestion: Dog ingests sporulated oocysts (which are infective) with its food or water. Excystation: After being ingested, the sporozoites hatch out of the oocysts ...