Importance Of Fecal Exams

Because of the high incidence of intestinal parasites (worms) in dogs and cats it is highly recommended that your pet’s feces be checked at least once a year for these parasites. A few very good reasons to have this simple test include:

• Parasite eggs or larvae are passed in the stool of your pet and are often undetectable to the human eye.
• Many of these parasites can infect people as well. These infections, like others acquired from animals, are called zoonotic infections.
• Pets are exposed to parasite eggs via litter boxes, walking in the grass, ingestion of other animal’s feces, ingestion of grass, and the licking/cleaning of their feet and rectum.
• Parasites can be easily treated and even prevented if your pet is infected or in a high risk situation.
• Untreated, your pet will become ill and the parasites may even prove fatal in certain cases.