What health issues can a dog's stool sample detect besides worms?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. A fecal exam usually checks for parasite eggs, single celled parasites, the presence or absence of yeast, and the mixture and types of bacterial. If your dog has any vomiting, weight loss, diarrhea or soft stool at all, then yes, I would definitely do this screening. If he has no signs whatsoever, I would still consider doing it every other year or so to catch things early. Best wishes to you and Oscar!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The intestinal worms that can be missed are some that are either difficult to find normally or the ones that are intermittently eliminated by the affected animal like Giardia and Coccidia, among others. Fecal samples can in fact be submitted to a reference laboratory for investigation. Good luck and have a great day!

Yes, Vetco clinics can do fecal exams to check for common parasites like hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. You can see a list of services offered here: https://www.vetcoclinics.com/services-and-clinics/vaccination-packages-and-prices/

Severe worm infestations will cause weight loss and GI signs. Minor infestations will be asymptomatic. I would recommend to collect a sample of stool and take it in for testing. If you can get a sample that you think has worms in it, then that would be best. Call the Wellness clinic to make sure they can test dogs for GI parasites. The cost of the dewormer will vary based upon what type of worms are present and also where you live. In general the fecal exam is around $40 and the dewormer could range anywhere from $20-60 but once again, these are estimates. Things in New York City cost more than things in Louisville, Ky. I hope this helps!

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Intestinal parasites can be ruled out quickly with a fecal test. Once your vet determines the type of parasite, they can recommend the appropriate dewormer. I hope this helps and am happy to answer any questions you have!

Hi there. Most of our fecal exams require specific tests that will separate our parasite eggs from the feces. Typically I do what's called a fecal float-as most people do. Under the microscope you would be looking for parasite eggs-but there are various forms and you have to know what you're looking for. If you look it up, there are diagrams on certain types of eggs online-but I always recommend a fecal be done by your doctor in case any are missed at home.

Yes, puppies can become infected with intestinal parasites 'in utero' (before being born), through nursing or from their environment. You can submit the stool sample to your veterinarian to diagnose intestinal parasites. Begin a deworming protocol when the pup is two weeks old.