In order to help keep your pet and family safe, our vets recommend annual fecal exams for your dog or cat. Annual fecal exams allow your Snellville vet to monitor your pet for a variety of infections that could cause harm as we mention below.
What are fecal exams for pets?
A fecal exam is a microscopic examination of your pet's feces, which is completed at your veterinarian's office. These annual fecal exams will help your vet to identify and treat any infections that could be compromising not only the health of your pet but also those of your household.
What can a fecal exam show me about my pet?
Your vet will look for any signs of parasites such as hookworms and roundworms when performing fecal exams. These parasites can make pets irritable and uncomfortable and could lead to many more serious issues. A number of parasites may even be transmitted to people.
Intestinal parasites live in your pet's gastrointestinal tract, hiding them from view. This makes routine fecal exams the best way to monitor your pet.
Is there anything I should do prior to my pet's fecal exam?
You will need to collect a fresh stool sample from your pet for your vet to test, ideally within 4 to 6 hours for a better chance at precise results.
It's imperative not to allow the stool sample to dehydrate or dry out, since many of the potential parasites will be killed, which in turn can mask their presence.
How often should I bring my pet in for a fecal exam?
Our veterinarians recommend that your pet has a fecal exam performed 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.