Pet Fecal Exams in North Hills, Raleigh, NC, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - North Hills is a vet in North Hills, Raleigh, that does fecal exams and parasite screening for dogs and cats. A fecal exam is a lab test of a small stool sample that looks for worm eggs and other parasites. Most pets need one once or twice a year, and puppies and kittens need several.

Many parasites cause no signs at first. A stool test finds them before they cause weight loss, diarrhea or a dull coat.

Call (984) 983-4900 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

What can a fecal exam find?

A fecal test at Petfolk North Hills screens for the common intestinal parasites in dogs and cats:

• Roundworms, very common in puppies and kittens.

• Hookworms, which feed on blood and can cause anemia.

• Whipworms, mostly in dogs, which can cause long-lasting diarrhea.

• Giardia, a single-celled parasite spread through contaminated water.

• Coccidia, another tiny parasite, common in young animals.

Tapeworms often don't show on a stool test. You may instead see small rice-like segments near your pet's tail. Tell the vet if you do.

How often should my pet have a fecal test?

The vet at Petfolk North Hills usually suggests:

1. Puppies and kittens: a test at early visits, often two or more during the vaccine series.

2. Adult dogs: once or twice a year, more if they go to daycare, dog parks or hiking trails.

3. Adult cats: once a year, especially if they hunt or go outdoors.

4. Any pet with diarrhea, weight loss or visible worms: a test at the sick visit.

Dogs that visit Raleigh's off-leash parks, like Millbrook Exchange or Baileywick, share ground with many other dogs, and parasite eggs can survive in that soil for months.

Each of my cat’s visits with Petfolk have been really great - they are easy to contact and book with, transparent about cost, and the service is really good.

Tom S., Google review

How do I collect a stool sample?

Collecting a sample is easy:

1. Use a clean plastic bag or container.

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

3. Keep it cool (in a sealed bag in the fridge, not the freezer) until the visit.

4. Label it with your pet's name.

If you can't get a sample, the team can sometimes collect one at Petfolk North Hills.

Worms that can spread to people

Some pet parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, can infect people, especially children who play in dirt. Picking up after your dog, washing hands and keeping pets on regular parasite control lowers the risk for the whole family. Young kids at home? Ask the vet.

How much does a fecal exam cost?

The fecal test is priced on its own and is often done at a wellness exam, which starts at $99 at Petfolk North Hills, or at a sick exam, which starts at $135. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

What happens after a positive result

If the test finds parasites, the vet at Petfolk North Hills prescribes the right medicine for that parasite, often from the on-site pharmacy, and may suggest a recheck. Many monthly heartworm preventives also treat some intestinal worms, which the vet can review. Every Petfolk clinic uses Fear Free handling, so any needed exam is done calmly.

See deworming in North Hills for treatment details.

If your pet has bloody diarrhea, vomiting with weakness, or a puppy or kitten seems limp, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as BluePearl Pet Hospital on Paragon Park Road in Raleigh.

Drop off a sample

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - North Hills is at 631 E Six Forks Rd, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609. Call (984) 983-4900 to ask about dropping off a sample, or book online.

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