Giving your pet their annual fecal exams at your vet's office is one of the best ways to keep both your family and your pet safe from intestinal parasites. Annually-conducted fecals give our Carroll County Animal Hospital veterinary team a chance to check for intestinal parasites before more serious conditions arise.
What is a fecal exam?
Fecal exams are microscopic analyses of your pet's feces that are completed at your vet's office. These annual fecals give your vet the chance to identify and treat infections that may be compromising your pet's health or the health of members of your household.
What do fecals detect?
Your vet will search for any signs of parasites like roundworms and hookworms when performing these exams. These kinds of intestinal parasites can make pets irritable and uncomfortable and may lead to many more serious issues if not promptly treated. A number of these parasites are even transmissible to people.
Intestinal parasites live in your pet's gastrointestinal tract, hiding them from view. That's why fecals are the best way to detect their presence.
How do I prepare for my pet's fecal?
Get a fresh stool sample and bring it to your vet's office the same day, ideally within 4 to 6 hours for the most accurate results.
It's critical that you don't allow stool samples to dehydrate or dry out before bringing it into your vet since many of the parasites that may potentially be in there will be killed. This would make it much more difficult to detect their presence.
How often does my pet need a fecal?
You should have your pet tested for internal parasites at least annually. Puppies and animals with gastrointestinal issues may need fecal exams more frequently. Ask your vet how often you should bring your pet's stool sample in for a fecal.