Fecal Exams in Altamonte Springs, FL, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Altamonte Springs is a vet in Altamonte Springs, FL, that runs fecal exams to find intestinal parasites in dogs and cats. A small, fresh stool sample is checked under a microscope or with a lab test for the eggs and cysts of worms and other parasites.

Most adult pets need a fecal check once or twice a year. Puppies, kittens and pets with diarrhea need them more often.

Call (407) 707-8525 or book online. Bring a fresh sample with you.

What can a fecal exam find?

At Petfolk Altamonte Springs, a fecal exam looks for:

• Roundworms and hookworms, common in puppies and kittens and passed to people in rare cases.

• Whipworms, which can cause on-and-off diarrhea in dogs.

• Tapeworms, often from swallowing fleas.

• Giardia and coccidia, tiny parasites that cause loose stool, especially in young pets.

Many parasites shed eggs only some of the time, so one clear test is good news but not the final word. If signs continue, the vet may repeat it.

How do I collect a stool sample?

1. Pick up a fresh sample, ideally within 12 hours of the visit.

2. A piece about the size of a grape or a sugar cube is plenty.

3. Seal it in a clean plastic bag or container.

4. Keep it cool, in the fridge if needed, but never frozen.

5. Label it with your pet's name if you have more than one pet.

Plastic bags from the grocery store or a clean takeout container both work. No sample? Tell the team. The vet can sometimes collect a small amount during the exam.

Who needs fecal testing, and how often?

• Puppies and kittens: at most visits during the vaccine series.

• Healthy adults: once or twice a year, often at the wellness exam.

• Dogs who visit dog parks, daycare or trails: twice a year is a good rule. Shared dog parks like Pawmosa Dog Park in Casselberry are fun, but many dogs leave stool on the same ground.

• Any pet with diarrhea, weight loss or a dull coat.

• New pets from a shelter, rescue or breeder.

What does a fecal exam cost?

A fecal test is priced separately and is often part of a wellness exam, which starts at $99 at Petfolk Altamonte Springs, or is included with PetfolkCare, which starts at $199 a year. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

If the test finds parasites

The vet will explain what was found and pick the right medicine; not every dewormer covers every parasite. Some, like Giardia, need a full course and a clean-up of the yard and bedding. A repeat test a few weeks later confirms the treatment worked. Monthly prevention that covers intestinal worms helps keep them from coming back.

Wash your hands after cleaning up stool, and pick up after your dog in the yard every day. Kids who play in sandboxes and yards benefit too. If you have a new baby or someone in the home with a weak immune system, mention it, because the vet may suggest testing more often.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, and most fecal checks need nothing from your pet but a normal potty break.

When stool problems need care today

Call Petfolk Altamonte Springs the same day for bloody diarrhea, diarrhea in a young puppy or kitten, or a pet that is also vomiting or won't eat. If your pet is weak, collapsing or has very pale gums, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as VEG Winter Park on W Fairbanks Ave.

Book a parasite check

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Altamonte Springs is at 999 N State Rd 434, Suite 1010, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714. Call (407) 707-8525. See also deworming in Altamonte Springs.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Altamonte Springs, or see all veterinary services in Altamonte Springs.