Discover the ultimate defense against parasitic infections for your pets and home with annual fecal exams. Our veterinarians in Monterey Park break down the process and highlight the significance of these exams for your pet's overall well-being.
What is a fecal exam?
Fecal exams, also known as "fecals," are tests that involve examining your pet's poop under a microscope. Vets use fecals to find and treat infections that are difficult to detect otherwise. If your cat or dog is sick or for a regular check-up, your veterinarian may ask you to bring a sample of their poop.
Annual fecal exams are important for dogs because they spend a lot of time outdoors, where they can come into contact with bacteria and parasites left behind by other dogs. For cats, fecal exams are also crucial because they can get parasites from eating things they shouldn't, especially if they live indoors.
What do fecals detect?
Intestinal parasites like roundworms and hookworms can be found through a fecal exam. These parasites can cause discomfort and irritability in pets and may even lead to more severe health problems. It's important to remember that certain intestinal parasites can be transmitted from pets to humans.
Intestinal parasites reside in the gastrointestinal tract of your pet, remaining unseen. Regular fecal exams conducted once a year enable your veterinarian to identify and treat intestinal parasites at an early stage.
While it is essential to schedule annual fecal exams for your pets, you can also be watchful for symptoms of parasitic infection in cats and dogs.
- Diarrhea
- Gas
- Abdominal discomfort
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Food avoidance
- Excessive hunger
- Blood in stool
How do I prepare for my pet's fecal?
To ensure accurate results, it's important to bring a fresh stool sample from your pet to the veterinarian's office on the day of your appointment. If the sample dries out, it can kill off parasites and make them difficult to detect. Therefore, it's best to deliver the stool sample to us within 4-6 hours of collecting it.
How often does my pet need a fecal exam?
Our veterinarians, who are available across all locations, advise that it's important to have your dogs and cats tested for parasites every year. Puppies and pets with gastrointestinal problems may need more frequent fecal exams. It's best to consult your vet to determine how often you should bring in a stool sample from your pet for testing.