To keep your pet and your family safe from intestinal parasites, our Clemmons vets recommend annual fecal exams for your pet. Fecals allow your veterinarian to check your pet for otherwise difficult to detect intestinal parasites.
What is a fecal exam?
A fecal exam is done right in your vets office, and is a microscopic exam of your pet's feces. Fecals are used to diagnose and treat many infections that could be compromising your pet's health. Intestinal parasites can be transmitted to humans, which means that getting annual fecal exams for your pet, also protects your family!
What do fecals detect?
Fecal exams give your veterinarian the opportunity to determine if your pet has intestinal parasites such as hookworms or roundworms. These intestinal parasites not only make pets uncomfortable and irritable, they can also lead to more serious conditions.
Intestinal parasites live in your pet's gastrointestinal tract, hidden from view. Fecals are the best way to detect parasites which otherwise might go undetected and infect other pets or even people in your household.
How do I prepare for my pet's fecal?
Simply bring a fresh sample of your pet's stool to your vet as quickly as possible, within 4 to 6 hours is ideal.
Dehydrating or drying-out can kill many of the parasites hiding within your pet, and could mask their presence when viewed under a microscope. Be sure to drop your pet's stool sample off for testing on the same day as collection for accurate results.
How often does my pet need a fecal?
Our Clemmons vets recommend annual fecal exams for healthy pets. Animals with gastrointestinal issues, and puppies, may require more frequent fecal exams. Your veterinarian will let you know how frequently your pet should have fecal exams done.
At Animal Hospital of Clemmons, fecals are part of our annual Wellness Plans. Choose the Wellness Plan that's right for your pet.
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