Why Florida Soil and Standing Water Matter
A dog who looks completely healthy can be shedding intestinal parasite eggs into your yard at a rate that builds up fast. Fecal Exams and Parasite Screening in Windermere, FL are available through our Windermere care center for dogs and cats, and most infections produce nothing visible until the load is significant.
Why Florida Soil and Standing Water Matter
Hookworm larvae stay infective in warm moist soil for weeks. Central Florida provides warm moist soil year round with no cold interruption, so the larval load in a yard or dog park area accumulates differently than in colder climates. Hookworms in particular are a human health concern here — larvae penetrate skin on contact, most commonly through bare feet on contaminated ground. The CDC notes Florida as one of the endemic regions for cutaneous larva migrans.
Roundworms, whipworms, and giardia are all present here year round as well. Giardia is particularly common near water sources and dog parks — dogs who visit the water's edge at Lake Butler or walk around outdoor recreation areas with standing water are exposed regularly. Most of these parasites shed eggs or cysts that are resistant to many common disinfectants, so the fecal exam is the only reliable way to know whether a dog on prevention is actually free of them.
A fresh stool sample collected within an hour or two of the appointment gives the most accurate result. Our in-house laboratory runs the flotation and cytology on site. Most results are discussed before you leave. Call (689) 220-0228 or book online at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Windermere, 4757 The Grove Dr #148, Windermere, FL 34786.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fecal Exams Parasite Screening