Intestinal Parasites Tips

Intestinal parasites are a common problem with puppies and kittens but most can be easily treated once they are diagnosed. Roundworms, tapeworms, hookworms, and whipworms, Coccidia and Giardia are the most common intestinal parasites in dogs and cats. We recommend a stool sample checked during your pet’s first year followed by annual fecal exams as an adult. Your dog or your cat will be constantly exposed to parasites, many of which are transmissible to people. Please refer to the Center for Disease Control for additional information regarding human risk exposure.

However, not only are these parasites harmful to your pet, but many are also zoonotic, which means they can be transmitted to us! For the health of all members of your family, we recommend overall parasite prevention for all dogs and cats.

Fecal Testing

Intestinal parasitism is diagnosed by examining a stool sample microscopically to identify the tiny worm eggs and microorganisms. There are many methods for performing this important test, many of which are not very accurate. When we perform a fecal analysis on your pet, we use a superior method known as fecal centrifugation. This method of testing will be more accurate in diagnosing parasites in your pet. All we need is a teaspoon-sized amount of fresh fecal material.