Many cats are prone to harbouring internal parasites. Blood sucking hookworms live in the small intestine and can cause anemia. Other parasites include roundworms and tapeworms, that live in the intestines. Persistent dry coughing can indicate the presence of lungworms. The symptoms of internal parasites may include diarrhea, anemia, weight loss, and general unthriftiness. Kittens can be severely weakened by parasite loads they contract from their mother, so deworming kittens regularly for the first 6 months is paramount for a healthy kitten. Adult cats should be dewormed at intervals recommended by your veterinarian according to their lifestyle, and the environment.
What is a cat fecal parasite screen?
Most internal parasites are invisible to the human eye, and therefore we look microscopically for the ova (eggs) of these parasites using the fecal floatation method. Fecal testing in our hospital also includes a fecal smear that is studied microscopically to determine imbalances in bacteria load and sporulating clostridium.
What does a fecal parasite screen reveal?
We use fecal sampling to detect the presence of internal parasites such as roundworms, hookworm, lungworm coccidia, giardia. All of these parasites can cause symptoms of diarrhea, anemia, coughing, weight loss and general unthriftiness.
How is a fecal parasite screen performed?
A small amount of feces is required for testing.
What is the best method for collecting my cat’s stool?
Please use gloves to collect a small amount of your cat’s stool and place in a clean plastic container. It is best to have fresh samples that are not severely contaminated with kitty litter.
How much does a cat stool test cost?
Please call our hospital for pricing on fecal testing.
