Our tests follow well established veterinary procedures to screen pets for 7 common intestinal parasites: tapeworm, hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, coccidia, giardia, and cryptosporidium.

Our Fecal Specimen Collection Kit screens for ova and parasites using centrifugation and microscopic examination. Giardia and Cryptosporidium are tested using an antigen test.

Fecal testing screens for intestinal parasites that may be compromising the health and well-being of your pet. Many parasites mask their presence until clinical signs become severe or significant health complications arise. Therefore, without periodic fecal testing, you may never know that your dog or cat has a parasitic infection.

Some parasites can even be transmitted to other pets and humans in your household. Children and people with compromised immune systems are particularly at risk.

Not all intestinal parasites are treated with routine deworming, enforcing the importance of routine screening. Puppies, kittens, outdoor cats, and pets that interact with other pets (ie grooming, boarding facility) are at higher risk of contracting a parasite. These pets should be tested more frequently.

Fecal tests are recommended by veterinarians as an important part of your pet’s routine general wellness testing. These tests also satisfy daycare, grooming, boarding and kennel requirements for fecal testing to keep other pets and humans safe from parasites.

Virtually all veterinarians encourage testing your pet annually or even twice a year, and up to 4x per year for puppies. Multiple tests are important because sometimes pets may be infected, but the parasites have not yet shed eggs or grown to a noticeable level at the time of testing. Most vets will also ask for you to perform a fecal test if your pet’s feces begin to look abnormal and some daycares, boarding houses and groomers require an annual fecal test before your animal can visit to avoid infecting other pets.

Other than for wellness screening, your veterinarian may recommend a fecal test if they see any of these clinical signs:
-Diarrhea
-Stool accidents
-Blood in stool
-Rice-like worms in feces
-Black or tarry feces
-Mucus-like feces
-Excessive gas
-Lethargy (low energy) Changes to appetite (increased or decreased)
-Coprophagia (eating feces)
-Weight loss
-Dull coat
-Pot bellied appearance
-Vomiting
-Scooting
-Itching, licking or biting under tail

Routine fecal screening can help mitigate:
-Discomfort
-Malnourishment
-Weight loss and decrease in muscle tone
-Dehydration
-Electrolyte Imbalances
-Allergic reactions
-Weakness
-Intestinal disease and damage
-Anemia (not enough healthy red blood cells)
-Intestinal blockages (in severe cases, a large number of worms can form an impaction)
-Eye damage (rare cases)
-Lung or liver damage (rare cases)
-Death (rare cases)

Failing to test proactively can also have a large financial impact!

Parasites can be transmitted to other pets and even humans in your household, specifically hookworms, roundworms and Giardia, which are all zoonotic. Costly veterinary appointments from hospitalization of severe/advanced disease. Some boarding facilities/daycares require a recent fecal test prior to your pet’s visit.