Fecal Test
Fecal Flotation
Often just called a "Fecal".
Who Should Be Tested
All dogs and cats.
What Kind of Sample We Need
A small amount of fresh feces; a single bowel movement is more than enough. By "fresh", we mean that it has to be soft enough that we can put it into a solution; if it's dried out or frozen, we can't work with it.
What We Are Looking For
Parasites, including worms and single-celled parasites such as giardia or coccidia. If your pet has a severe infestation of some kinds of worm, you may see actual parasites in the stool - roundworms look like spaghetti, and tapeworm segments look like wriggling grains of rice (we know, gross!) However, often the only symptom of parasites is soft stool, and many times there are no symptoms at all.
Why This Test Is Important
If left untreated, parasites can cause diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, malnutrition, and even - in rare, extreme cases - death. Parasites are common, especially in puppies and kittens, and can be eliminated with medication. Some parasites can be transmitted to humans, usually through accidental ingestion of microscopic amounts of stool - though hookworms can enter the body through the skin, and are therefore a risk if your pet goes to the bathroom in the yard and you then walk there barefoot.
How Often We Should Test
Once a year for healthy pets, or sooner if there are symptoms of GI trouble, like vomiting or diarrhea.
For more information about canine heartworm disease: Pets and Parasites: Heartworm
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