Pet Fecal Exams in Boynton Beach, FL, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Boynton Beach is a vet in Boynton Beach, FL, that checks dogs' and cats' stool for intestinal parasites. A fecal exam looks for the eggs and cysts of worms and single-celled parasites under a microscope or with a lab test. Most pets need one at least once a year, and puppies and kittens more often.

Many parasites cause no signs at first, so a healthy-looking pet can still carry them.

Call (561) 200-1214, book online or walk in. Bring a fresh stool sample.

What parasites does a fecal exam find?

At Petfolk Boynton Beach, the test can find:

• Roundworms, very common in puppies and kittens, and passed from mother to young.

• Hookworms, which feed on blood and can pass to people through the skin.

• Whipworms, a cause of long-lasting diarrhea in dogs.

• Giardia, a single-celled parasite picked up from water.

• Coccidia, common in young or stressed pets.

• Tapeworm segments, often linked to fleas.

Some parasites shed eggs only now and then, so a negative test doesn't rule everything out. The vet may repeat the test if signs continue.

How do I collect a stool sample?

1. Pick up a fresh sample, ideally from the last 12 hours. About a teaspoon is enough.

2. Put it in a clean, sealed bag or container.

3. Keep it cool, in the fridge if needed, but not frozen.

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

For cats, scoop from the litter box. Clumping litter on the sample is fine.

Bring the sample to the front desk when you check in, along with the name of any dewormer or flea product your pet already takes. If you forgot a sample, ask the team, who can talk you through getting one. When the result comes back, the team will explain what it means and whether your pet needs medicine, a recheck sample or nothing at all. A recheck a few weeks after treatment confirms the parasites are gone, which matters for ones like Giardia that can come back.

Why do parasites matter in South Florida?

Warm, wet weather lets many parasite eggs survive in soil and grass for a long time. Dogs pick them up at parks and in yards, and cats at the edges of lawns and gardens. The city of Boynton Beach has off-leash dog parks at Officer Joseph Crowder Dog Park, Mangrove Dog Park and Jaycee Park. Busy spots like these are great for play, and they are also where parasite eggs spread when people don't pick up. After heavy summer rain, puddles and swales in yards can carry Giardia, so steer your dog away from drinking standing water.

Some parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, can spread to people. Wash hands after yard work and after cleaning up after your pet, and keep children's sandboxes covered.

A testing schedule by age

• Puppies and kittens: at several of their early vaccine visits.

• Adult dogs and cats: once a year, at the wellness exam.

• Pets with diarrhea, weight loss or a dull coat: any time.

• New pets and rescues: at the first visit.

What does a fecal exam cost?

The test is priced on its own and can be added to any visit. A wellness exam starts at $99 at Petfolk Boynton Beach, or is free 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.

I felt completely confident with the way my cat was tested and diagnosed.

Nancy S., Google review

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, so the exam that goes with the test stays calm.

When stomach signs get worse

Diarrhea with blood, repeated vomiting, or a weak puppy or kitten should be seen the same day. If your pet collapses or can't keep water down, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital, such as Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) on North Congress Avenue.

Drop off a sample

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Boynton Beach is at 7375 Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 435, Boynton Beach, FL 33437. Call (561) 200-1214. If the test finds worms, see deworming in Boynton Beach.

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