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Fecal Testing
The Intestinal Parasite Screen
What are intestinal parasites?
Organisms that live, grow, and feed in the intestinal tract taking away nutrition and in severe cases causing illnesses such as anorexia, diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, or even death.
How do my pets become infested with parasites?
Dogs and cats become infected by ingesting parasite eggs, eating infected rodents, birds or insects (fleas), penetration of their skin or foot pads, and through their mother’s womb and milk.
What are the signs and symptoms of intestinal parasites?
Many pets infected with parasites don’t show symptoms, but can be carriers. Signs and symptoms you may see are; diarrhea, vomiting, anorexia, anemia, enlarged abdomen, continuous hunger, etc…
How do I test and treat for intestinal parasites?
The best way to detect parasites is by testing a fresh fecal sample for the parasite’s eggs.
Treatment may vary depending of the type of parasite found, but it usually consists of a oral medication.
Can my family become infested with parasites? If so, how can I protect them?
Yes,some of these parasites can infect humans too. In severe cases they can cause serious medical problems such as skin eruptions, permanent blindness, internal organ damage and brain damage.
The best ways to protect against parasites is to routinely wash your hands after playing with animals, clean up after your pet defecates, do not allow your children to play in high risk areas, and check a stool sample once every 6-12 months.
How often should I test for intestinal parasites?
Adult pets: all pets should be tested at least every 6 - 12 months and then treated appropriately.
Puppies and kittens: A fecal sample should be checked at or before your first appointment, after completing a dose of a dewormer, and routinely every year.
Puppies and kittens can also have parasites not mature enough to be detected in a routine screening; therefore, regardless of the result of the fecal examination, a preventative dewormer is recommended every 2 weeks until 12 weeks of age. An additional fecal examination should be done following any medication.
We will dispense appropriate medication with instructions on the label.
For the future protection of your pets and family, we will send you reminders in the mail for future fecal tests.
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