What is a fecal exam?
Fecals are microscopic examinations of your pet's feces, carried out in your veterinarian's office. The primary goal of a fecal exam is to identify and treat any intestinal infections that could be compromising your pet's overall health.
What do fecal exams detect?
Fecal exams are used to determine if your dog or cat has intestinal parasites such as hookworms or roundworms. Parasites not only make pets uncomfortable and irritable, they could lead to more serious conditions for your pet or even be transmitted to family members.
Intestinal parasites live in your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, hidden from view. Annual fecal exams are the quickest and most reliable way to test your pet for intestinal parasites.
How do I prepare for my pet's fecal exam?
Preparing for your pet's fecal exam is easy. Simply collect a fresh stool sample and bring it to your vet's office that day. For the most accurate results it is best to bring your pet's stool sample in to the vets office within 4 to 6 hours of collection.
If the stool sample dries out or dehydrates many of the potential parasites present may be killed which could mask their presence and make the test results unreliable.
How often does my pet need a fecal?
Our vets recommend that all dogs and cats be tested for parasites at least once a year. Puppies, kittens and animals with gastrointestinal issues may require more frequent fecal exams. Ask your vet how frequently you should bring in your pet’s stool sample for testing.
Fecal exams can be done at your pet's annual checkup. Call our clinic to schedule a routine exam for your pet today.
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