Pet Fecal Exams & Parasite Screening in Lakewood, Dallas, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood is a vet in Lakewood, East Dallas, that checks stool samples for intestinal parasites. Many worms and germs are too small to see, and a pet can carry them without looking sick. A fecal exam finds them.

It's one of the simplest tests in veterinary care. You bring a small sample, and the team does the rest.

Call (682) 339-7822 or book online. You can also drop off a sample.

Why does my healthy pet need a stool test?

Many pets with parasites look fine. Roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and giardia can live in the gut for weeks before you see loose stool, weight loss or a dull coat. Some of these parasites can also spread to people, especially young children who play in the yard.

Most vets suggest a stool test at least once a year for adult pets, and more often for puppies, kittens and dogs who spend lots of time around other dogs. Busy shared spaces like Mockingbird Point Dog Park, daycare and boarding are where parasites pass from dog to dog.

What can a fecal exam find?

A standard stool test looks for:

• Roundworms, very common in puppies and kittens

• Hookworms, which feed on blood and can cause anemia

• Whipworms, a common cause of on-and-off diarrhea in dogs

• Tapeworms, often passed by fleas

• Giardia and coccidia, tiny parasites that cause loose or smelly stool

Some parasites shed eggs only now and then. A single negative test is good news, but if signs continue, the vet may suggest a repeat test or a different method.

The next day, we also dropped off a stool sample, and the test was completed very fast - within 10 minutes again.

Elizabeth L., Google review

How do I collect a good stool sample?

A good sample makes the test more accurate:

1. Collect it within 12 hours of the visit. Fresher is better.

2. About a teaspoon is enough, roughly the size of a sugar cube.

3. Use a clean bag or container, and seal it.

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

5. For cats, scoop from the top of the litter and leave out as much litter as you can.

If you forget, the team can sometimes get a small sample during the exam.

What if the test finds parasites?

Most intestinal parasites are easy to treat. The vet will pick the right dewormer or medicine, explain how long to give it, and tell you when to bring a repeat sample. They may also suggest treating other pets in the home. See deworming in Lakewood.

At home, pick up stool from the yard every day during treatment. It stops your pet from picking up the same parasite again. Wash your hands after cleaning the litter box or yard.

New pets and new neighbors

Bring a stool sample to the very first visit with any new puppy, kitten or rescue. Pets from shelters, breeders and other states often carry worms their old home never tested for. If you're new to East Dallas yourself, bring your pet's records too. Knowing which parasites were found before, and which medicine worked, helps the vet plan. A clean first test is a good starting point for your pet's new routine here.

Cost and a quick visit

You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. A stool test can be part of a wellness exam, which starts at $99, or a sick visit for loose stool. The team handles every pet gently, and Fear Free methods are used throughout.

Diarrhea that needs fast care

Loose stool from parasites is usually not an emergency. But go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if your pet has a lot of blood in the stool, is vomiting and can't keep water down, or is weak and won't get up. Puppies with bloody diarrhea need care the same day, since parvo is a risk. In Lower Greenville, Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) at 4500 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206, is open 24 hours.

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