Intestinal Parasites (pt 2 of 2)

It’s a stool sample!

… read Part 1 first.

Do not allow your pet to drink stagnant water and keep away from environments that are heavily contaminated with feces, such as dog parks. Clean up your pet’s environment on a regular basis to avoid soil contamination. 

Veterinarians recommend regular stool sample screenings, at least once per year for most pets in order to detect parasites as early as possible. If a pet has had chronic parasitic infections or suspicious symptoms have begun, screenings should be every 6 months.

Fecal samples for testing should be fresh, no more than 24 hours old and in an airtight container. Sample size recommended is one (1) gram, which is equivalent to 2 sugar cubes or one medium marble.

Intestinal Parasites (pt 1 of 2)

It’s a stool sample!

Hookworms. Whipworms. Protozoa infections. These terrifying miniature monsters are not science fiction; they are common realities for pets in the United States. Some of the many intestinal parasites out there can be contracted trans-placentally, that is, from mother to puppy or kitten.

Dogs are even less careful what goes in their mouths than people are. Many parasites are contracted via contact with or ingestion of infected feces, stagnant water, infected hosts (mice, rabbits, fleas, etc.) or through skin penetration by contaminated soil.

Pets MAY NOT show clinical signs, depending on the infection, which is why preventative care is so important. Most common symptoms include diarrhea, bloody stool, weight loss, lethargy, distended abdomen, abdominal cramping, dullness of coat, dehydration or anemia, especially when infected by a ‘blood-sucking’ variety of parasite.

See Part 2 for information about detecting and preventing intestinal parasites!