Why bring a stool sample?
You already know how important it is to protect your pet from external parasites like fleas and ticks. But intestinal parasites are just as big a threat to both cats and dogs. They can infect animals of any age, although puppies and kittens tend to be the biggest victims. The most common types of parasites are roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia, and giardia. Sooner or later, their presence will have an impact on your pet’s health or comfort, causing anything from mild irritation and diarrhea to serious illness and weight loss. And be aware—some of these parasites can infect humans as well!
That’s why we recommend fecal testing for your pet at least once a year. And that means bringing a stool sample to your annual exam. We’ll run a fecal test by flotation to detect parasites that could be harming your pet’s health and suggest appropriate treatment.
Getting a Stool Sample from Your Pet
- Samples must be FRESH (still soft and moist), within the last 4-6 hours.
- Use a LOCKING baggie. Write your name and your pet’s name on the bag.
- Turn the bag inside out over your hand and collect a sample approximately the size of a sugar cube, or 1/2 teaspoon.
- Seal the bag completely.
- Store the sample in the fridge if it will be more than a few hours before you can bring it to the hospital.
- Don’t forget to bring the sample with you to your appointment!
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call us at (650) 583-5039.