Fecal Exams and Parasite Screening in East Cobb, Marietta, GA, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - East Cobb Marietta is a vet in East Cobb that runs fecal exams to screen dogs and cats for intestinal parasites. A fecal exam is a test of a small stool sample, and most pets need one at least once a year.

Many pets with worms look healthy. A fecal test finds eggs and germs long before you would ever see a worm.

Call (678) 539-8441 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

Why does my pet need a fecal exam?

Your pet needs a fecal exam because gut parasites are common and often hidden. At Petfolk East Cobb, the test looks for roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, Giardia and coccidia. Some of these, like roundworms and hookworms, can also infect people, especially children who play in the yard. Catching them keeps your whole home safer.

How often should my pet be tested?

Most adult dogs and cats at Petfolk East Cobb need a fecal exam once a year, often at the wellness exam. Puppies and kittens need several in their first months, since many are born with worms. Test sooner if your pet has:

• Diarrhea, soft stool or mucus in the stool

• Vomiting or weight loss

• Scooting or licking under the tail

• Worms or "rice grains" in the stool or around the tail

• A recent stay at a kennel, rescue or shelter

How do I collect a stool sample?

Collecting a sample is simple. Here is how to bring a good one to Petfolk East Cobb:

1. Pick up a fresh sample, ideally from the last 12 hours.

2. A spoonful is enough, about the size of a grape or two.

3. Seal it in a clean bag or container and label it with your pet's name.

4. Keep it cool, in the fridge if you won't be in for a few hours, but never frozen.

For cats, scoop from a clean litter box. A little litter stuck to it is fine.

What happens in the lab

The team mixes the sample with a special solution so any eggs float to the top, then checks them under a microscope. Some tests, like those for Giardia, look for parasite proteins instead. The clinic has an in-house lab for many tests, so many results come back during the visit, and others go to an outside lab. The vet explains the result and, if needed, sends home the right dewormer from the on-site pharmacy.

Front desk, lab tech, and doctor were very nice and knowledgeable.

Brianna G., Google review

Dog parks, trails and the yard

Dogs pick up parasites by sniffing and licking where other dogs have been. The dog park at Sweat Mountain Park and the Chattahoochee River trails are busy places for that. The river park asks you to pick up your dog's poop every time, and that habit helps everyone. At home, clean the yard often and keep sandboxes covered.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic. A fecal exam needs no needle at all, just your sample.

Cost of a fecal exam

A fecal exam at Petfolk East Cobb is priced on its own and is often added to a wellness exam, which starts at $99. A PetfolkCare membership starts at $199 a year and includes the wellness exam. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

When stomach upset is serious

Bloody diarrhea, repeated vomiting, or a puppy or kitten who stops eating needs to be seen the same day. If your pet is very weak or collapses, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as Dogwood Veterinary Specialty and Emergency on Powers Ferry Common SE in Marietta. For treatment of known worms, see deworming in East Cobb.

Bring the sample to us

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - East Cobb Marietta is at 4475 Roswell Rd, Suite 1420, Marietta, GA 30062. Call (678) 539-8441 to ask about dropping off a sample.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - East Cobb Marietta, or see all veterinary services in East Cobb Marietta.