How To Collect A Stool Sample From A Dog

Take yous ever wondered why veterinarians recommend yearly fecal testing and what exactly is tested for? It's not because we enjoy pet poop. Nosotros recommend "fecals" considering they are an important part of your pet'south almanac examination. Fecals allow veterinarians to check your pet for intestinal parasites. Abdominal parasites are a major cause of infection in pets and also a concern for people. According to Kansas State, 34% of dogs in the Us take some kind of intestinal parasite, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that 14% of people in the U.S. have been exposed to the roundworm. Equally a result of toxocara infections, approximately 700 people lose vision every yr. Fecals are an important tool to ensure that your pet and your household are not infected and exposed to intestinal parasites, respectively.

What practise fecals observe?
Fecals enable veterinarians to determine if your pet has intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia and giardia. Since abdominal parasites live in your pet'southward gastrointestinal tract, they are usually hidden from view. Dissimilar external parasites like fleas and ticks, most intestinal parasites are never seen. The only manner to detect the presence of intestinal parasites and identify them is by doing a fecal.

How do you perform a fecal?
Since worm eggs, larvae and protozoan cysts are difficult or impossible to run into with the naked heart, a fecal exam is washed with a microscope. At that place are iii different ways to set a stool sample for examination:

• Smear— A smear is the easiest to do and involves smearing a small-scale sample of stool across a microscope glass slide and examining it under the microscope.
• Flotation— A flotation (also known every bit a bladder) is the near common method used in veterinary hospitals and involves mixing the stool sample in a special solution that allows the eggs and protozoan cysts to float to the surface. While this option is common, it is not recommended.
• Centrifugation— Centrifugation isanother form of flotation, and if fecal is washed in clinic, this is the recommended method. Itinvolves using a centrifuge to spin downwards a stool sample suspended in a special solution prior to performing the floatation. The parasites are so identified microscopically based on the size, shape and characteristics of their eggs, larvae or cysts (establish in the stool specimen).
• Antigen testing - Washed at the reference lab, fecal antigen testing detects more hookworm, roundworm, and whipworm infections even when eggs aren't nowadays.

How to provide a proper fecal sample?
When it comes to food, we all know that fresh is all-time. Not surprisingly, the aforementioned is true for stool samples. The fact is that fresher stool samples give you more than authentic and sensitive results. Eggs and larvae from some types of parasites, also as protozoa and protozoan cysts, can become altered and unrecognizable the longer they sit out. For the best results, collect the freshest stool sample and bring it to your veterinarian the same day. If this is not possible, yous can seal the fecal sample in a ziploc® bag and air-condition it until you can bring information technology to your veterinary. If yous're putting it in your fridge, I recommend being extra careful to non dirty the outside of the ziploc® bag and double bagging it to insure you lot do non contaminate your fridge and food. But remember, fresher is better!

How oftentimes does your pet need a fecal?
According to the Companion Fauna Parasite Council (CAPC), developed pets should be tested twice annually, and puppies and kittens iv times in the beginning yr of life. Speak with your veterinarian to find out how frequently you should bring in your pet'south stool sample. Ultimately, the goal is to identify and treat parasitic infections that may exist compromising your pet'due south wellness and even putting your family unit at risk.

Forth with monthly, year-round parasite preventatives; routine fecal exams are the best mode to ensure that your pet and your household are condom from intestinal parasites.

Now that you know why it's important to collect a poop sample and how to do it the right manner, Click here to see our 7 hilariously bad poop sample fails video.

If you lot take whatever questions or concerns, you should always visit or call your veterinarian -- they are your best resource to ensure the health and well-beingness of your pets.

Source: https://www.pethealthnetwork.com/dog-health/dog-checkups-preventive-care/why-does-my-veterinarian-want-a-poop-sample

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