Symptoms

• Symptoms of a protozoan infection include chronic diarrhea, occasional bloody stool, nausea, colitis and weight loss. More serious complications can include difficultly breathing, depression, seizures, paralysis and blindness. Protozoan infections, including balantidium coli, can infect cats of any age and breed--though the infections are more common in kittens younger than six months of age, animals that have suppressed immune systems and animals that are stressed.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Balantidium coli is rare in cats in the United States. The most common protozoan infection among pets in the U.S. is Giardia. If your veterinarian suspects that your cat has a protozoan infection, the doctor will likely begin by doing a fecal. This will involve the veterinarian taking a feces sample directly from the animal, known as a direct smear or wet mount. The sample is examined under a microscope with a small amount of saline solution added. Small protozoan organisms, however, are difficult to see even with a microscope. Veterinarians often arrive at a presumptive diagnosis based upon symptoms and ruling out other possible conditions.
  
  

Treatment

• Intensive care, such as intravenous fluids and blood transfusions, may be needed in some cases, depending upon the condition of the cat and upon the specific protozoan.
  Antibiotics will likely be administered along with de-worming medications. Albon, containing the medication Sulfadimethoxine, often is prescribed. Depending upon the type of protozoa infecting the cat, Panacur may be prescribed. Protozoan infections are often difficult to stop and don't respond to first attempts at treatment. Medications such as Toltrazuril and Ponazuril may be tried if more common medications are not effective.
  
  

At Home

• Good sanitation and hygiene are important in controlling protozoan parasite outbreaks. Litter boxes should be scooped daily and disinfected using diluted household bleach on a regular basis. Avoid overcrowding cats and diets that include raw meats.