Pet Fecal Exams in Fishers, IN, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Fishers is a vet in Fishers, IN, that runs fecal exams for dogs and cats. A fecal exam is a lab test of a small stool sample that looks for intestinal parasites, such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, Giardia and coccidia.

Many parasites cause no signs at first. Their eggs are far too small to see, so a pet can look fine while shedding them into the yard for months; a yearly test catches that.

Call (463) 208-4426 or bring a fresh sample to your pet's next visit.

Why test stool if my pet seems healthy?

Pets with worms often look fine. The parasites still take nutrients, irritate the gut and shed eggs into your yard. Some, like roundworms and hookworms, can also infect people, especially children who play in the dirt, which is one more reason to test a pet who looks perfectly healthy. A yearly fecal exam at Petfolk Fishers finds these before they cause weight loss, a dull coat or diarrhea.

Who needs a fecal exam, and how often?

• Puppies and kittens: several times in the first months, since many are born with worms or pick them up early.

• Adult dogs and cats: yearly.

• Dogs who visit daycare, dog parks or boarding: they meet a lot of other dogs' stool. Twice a year may make sense.

• Any pet with diarrhea, mucus in stool or weight loss: test at the sick visit.

• New pets from a shelter, rescue or breeder: test at the first visit.

The vet at Petfolk Fishers sets the timing.

Collecting a good sample

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

2. Grape-sized is enough.

3. Pick it up with a clean bag turned inside out, and seal it.

4. Keep it cool (in the fridge, in a sealed bag) if you can't bring it in right away.

5. For cats, scoop from the top of the litter, not the bottom.

Write your pet's name and the date on the bag, then bring it to Petfolk Fishers.

What happens if the test finds parasites?

The vet explains what was found, then picks the drug. Giardia and roundworms, for example, don't respond to the same drug, which is why a test beats guessing. Some pets need a second test a few weeks later. It confirms the parasites are gone. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Keeping your yard and home clean

Some parasite eggs survive in soil for months. To stop a pet from catching the same worms again:

• Pick up dog poop in your yard every day.

• Scoop litter boxes at least once a day.

• Keep prevention current; many monthly products also treat common worms.

• Wash hands after yard work and after handling pets.

Easy, low-stress testing

Most fecal exams at Petfolk Fishers need no handling at all. You bring the sample. If the vet needs to collect one, Fear Free and gentle handling are standard at every Petfolk clinic.

What does a fecal exam cost?

A fecal exam is often done with the wellness exam at Petfolk Fishers, which starts at $99. PetfolkCare, a yearly membership that starts at $199, includes the wellness exam. Petfolk takes major cards, Apple Pay and CareCredit.

When stool changes are serious

Bloody diarrhea, black tarry stool, or diarrhea with vomiting in a puppy or kitten needs care quickly. Call Petfolk Fishers or come in for vomiting and diarrhea care. If your pet is weak or collapses, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as VCA Advanced Veterinary Care Center at 7712 Crosspoint Commons in Fishers.

Bring the sample here

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Fishers is at 8711 E 106th St, Suite 160, Fishers, IN 46037. For treatment after a positive test, see deworming.

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