It’s not pleasant and may seem unnecessary, but fecal tests are a vital part of your pet’s routine healthcare. Screening for parasites protects everyone in your home, whether they have four legs or two legs.
Why Fecal Testing for Parasites Is Important
The most common intestinal parasites found in pets are hookworms, roundworms, whipworms, Cystosisospora (Coccidia), giardia, and tapeworms.1 Pets who spend time outdoors themselves or are exposed to pets who go outdoors, or those who spent time in a shelter or kennel in the past, are more likely to be infected by a parasite. This describes many pets and explains why testing for parasites is so important.
Veterinarians use fecal testing to determine if a pet is infected by a parasite that may be causing illness or if the pet is carrying a contagious parasite that could harm other animals or people in the household or community.
Signs Your Pet Might Have Parasites
- Belly swelling
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Lethargy, tiredness, reluctance to play
- Poor appetite
- Diarrhea and/or vomiting (possibly with worms in it)
- Bloody diarrhea with mucus or tarry (black) stools
- Dehydration
- Dull coat
- Stunted growth or weight loss
- Itching on the feet
- Cough or pneumonia from worms passing through the lungs
- Intestinal blockage
Does Every Pet with Parasites Show Signs?
No, not all dogs and cats with parasites show signs.1 In fact, this is one reason puppies can be born with worms, because their mothers may not show any signs of having parasites when pregnant.
Even if they show no signs, infected pets still pass eggs or cysts into the environment. Depending on the parasite, some of these eggs and larvae may last months to years where they lay and wait to infect another pet or person.
Hookworms and roundworms can infect humans. Children are most likely to become sick from these parasites because they play in sandboxes, dig in the dirt, run barefoot, and put dirty fingers in their mouths. Gardeners, farmers, and people working in construction are also at risk. Fecal testing is important for your pet’s health and for the health of your family.
When Should Your Veterinarian Do a Fecal Test?
If your pet shows any of the above signs of having parasites, your veterinarian will recommend checking a fecal sample. Most parasitic infections are easily treated.
In addition, the Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends that puppies and kittens should have a fecal centrifugation test at least four times in their first year of life. Frequent testing allows you to catch any potential infection before it becomes detrimental to their health.
Adult dogs and cats should have a fecal centrifugation test at least twice yearly, even if they’re on a monthly parasite prevention program.2
If your pet spends a lot of time outdoors or is not on a parasite preventative, your veterinarian may recommend more frequent fecal testing.
What Types of Fecal Tests Are Available for Parasites in Pets?
Fecal tests for dogs and fecal tests for cats are the same. The Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends using fecal centrifugation testing for the most accurate detection of intestinal parasites.2 Depending on your pet’s symptoms, lifestyle, and amount of feces collected, your veterinarian may perform other fecal tests.
Fecal Centrifugation
Feces are spun in a centrifuge to allow the eggs and parasites to rise to the top. The feces and other debris form a pellet at the bottom. The centrifugation process concentrates any eggs or parasites into the liquid, so they are more easily found when examined under the microscope.
Fecal Float
Feces are mixed with a liquid that causes eggs or worms to float to the surface of a microscope coverslip perched on top of a small cup.
Fecal ELISA
An ELISA looks for proteins specific to a particular parasite in the feces and can detect a parasite before it starts to shed eggs.
Fecal PCR
Some laboratories offer PCR panels for a wide range of gastrointestinal parasites. These panels are best for pets with chronic gastrointestinal issues that do not respond to treatment or may have a resistant parasitic infection.
How To Collect a Stool Sample from Your Cat or Dog
A fecal test requires 10 to 15 grams of feces, about one tablespoon, to give the veterinarian the best chance of making an accurate diagnosis. If the amount is too small, they can get a false negative result where the test shows no parasites even though your pet is infected.
- You will collect the sample and take it to your veterinary clinic. They should give you a container. If not, you can use a clean, disposable plastic container.
- Wear gloves when you collect the sample and wash your hands thoroughly after putting it in a container.
- For dogs, collecting the sample from outside is fine, even if it’s in grass or dirt. Don’t worry if the sample is liquid.
- For cats, a sample with kitty litter attached or embedded is okay. Don’t worry if the sample is liquid.
- If you have a veterinary appointment, collect the sample as close to your appointment as possible. If you don’t have an appointment and are just dropping off the sample, drop it off within two hours of collection.
- If you can’t bring the sample right away, put the container in a sealed plastic bag and store it in your refrigerator.
If you have other pets with diarrhea, let your veterinarian know, as they may also want fecal samples from those pets.
Re-checking Fecal Samples After Parasite Treatment Is Complete
Parasites have a lifecycle. Their stage in the lifecycle can impact the effectiveness of treatment. A follow-up test tells your veterinarian whether the treatment was successful or should be continued.
Regular parasite prevention, routine fecal testing, and proper disposal of feces can stop parasites before they cause harm to our pets and our families.
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Intestinal Parasites in Dogs and Cats. MSPCA Angell. https://www.mspca.org/angell_services/intestinal-parasites-in-dogs-and-cats/. Accessed October 15, 2024.
- Parasite Testing and Protection Guided By Veterinarians. Companion Animal Parasite Council. https://capcvet.org/guidelines/general-guidelines/. Accessed October 15, 2024.
