Pet Fecal Exams & Parasite Screening in Kennesaw, GA, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Kennesaw is a vet in Kennesaw, GA, that checks dog and cat stool for intestinal parasites. A fecal exam looks for worm eggs and other parasites that you usually can't see with your eyes. Most pets should have one at least once a year, and puppies and kittens need more.

Many pets with worms look healthy. The test finds a problem early, before it causes weight loss, diarrhea or a dull coat.

Call (770) 404-8937 or book a visit online. Bring a fresh stool sample.

What does a fecal exam test for?

The lab looks for the eggs or cysts of common parasites, including:

• Roundworms, very common in puppies and kittens

• Hookworms, which feed on blood and can cause anemia

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

• Giardia, a one-celled parasite picked up from water and wet ground

• Coccidia, often seen in young pets from shelters and breeders

Tapeworms are harder to catch on a fecal test. You may instead see small, rice-like pieces near your pet's tail or on the bedding. Tell the vet if you do.

How often should my pet have a fecal test?

The vet usually suggests:

• Puppies and kittens: at the first visit and again during the vaccine series

• Adult dogs and cats: once a year, often with the wellness exam

• Any pet with diarrhea, weight loss, or worms seen in the stool

• New pets, before they meet your other animals

Dogs who play in groups, swim in ponds or hike often may need tests more often. Ask the vet what fits your pet's routine. Many families add the test to a yearly checkup; see wellness exams in Kennesaw.

How do I collect a stool sample?

It is easier than it sounds:

1. Use a clean plastic bag or the cup the clinic gives you.

2. Pick up about a teaspoon from the top of a fresh pile, ideally from the last 12 hours.

3. Avoid stool that has sat in the sun or picked up grass and dirt.

4. Seal it and keep it in a cool place, not the freezer, until the visit.

5. Write your pet's name on the bag if you have more than one pet.

A fresh sample gives the most accurate result.

Picking up after your dog matters

Parasite eggs in stool can stay in soil for a long time and spread to other dogs. The National Park Service asks visitors at Kennesaw Mountain to bag dog waste and put it in a bin, and it leaves bags out in the parking areas. The Frank Boone Dog Park in Swift-Cantrell Park has bag stations too, and it doesn't allow sick dogs. Picking up every time protects your dog and every dog after yours.

The lab work was reviewed with me by the Vet and any questions I had were answered.

Frank K., Google review

If the test is positive

Most intestinal parasites are easy to treat with the right dewormer. The vet picks the medicine based on what was found and may suggest a repeat test to make sure it's gone. Monthly heartworm prevention often covers some worms too. See deworming in Kennesaw.

Some worms can pass to people, especially children who play in the dirt. Wash hands after cleaning up, and keep the yard picked up.

The team uses gentle, Fear Free handling for the exam, even when your pet isn't feeling great.

Fecal test estimates

The cost depends on the type of test. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. A wellness exam at Petfolk Kennesaw starts at $99, or is free with a PetfolkCare Plan.

Blood in the stool or a very weak pet

A puppy or kitten with bloody diarrhea, vomiting, pale gums or weakness may be losing too much blood or water. That needs care right away. If the clinic can't see your pet, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital, such as VEG at 1290 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta.

Schedule a fecal test

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Kennesaw is at 1155 Ernest W Barrett Pkwy NW, Suite 204, Kennesaw, GA 30144. Call (770) 404-8937 or book online.

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