30/05/2024
F***L TESTING FOR DOGS
F***l testing for dogs should be performed every 6 months to rule out intestinal parasites that may be invading your dog’s gastrointestinal (GI) system. Several types of intestinal parasites can infect dogs, and their effects vary depending on the type of parasite and the overall health of your dog.
F***l testing may also be performed when your dog is having acute or chronic GI tract issues, in an attempt to investigate underlying causes of the clinical signs.
Unfortunately, you can’t usually see these parasites in your dog’s f***s, as they prefer to stay in the body. The parasites do, however, shed microscopic eggs in the f***s, which is why you need f***l testing to look for these eggs.
Diagnosing these parasites helps vets appropriately treat and clear them from the GI system, often before they become an issue for your dog’s health.
What Parasites Does a F***l Test for Dogs Check for?
F***l testing for dogs checks for intestinal parasites, including worms and microscopic parasites. Some of these parasites can transfer to humans (a condition called zoonosis), so it is very important that veterinarians keep your pet and your family as safe as possible.
F***l testing assesses for the following parasites:
ROUNDWORMS - are common parasites, and there are two main species that affect dogs: Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina. Adult worms are white, spaghetti-like worms that are several inches long. Roundworms can affect humans, especially children. This type of worm causes malnourishment, especially in puppies, as they feed on food that the dog has ingested. Common clinical signs are vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, a pot-bellied appearance, and a dull hair coat.
HOOKWORMS - are parasites that feast on the blood of their host. There are three main species that affect dogs: Ancylostoma caninum, Acylostoma braziliense, and Uncinaria stenocephala.
They are about 2 millimeters long and often difficult to see. This type of parasite can affect humans, especially children. These worms have hook-like mouth parts that attach to the intestinal wall and feed on blood. This causes intestinal inflammation and blood loss, which leads to vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, poor hair coat, and anemia (low red blood cell count). Hookworms can also cause skin irritation and itching.
Usually, hookworms are found in dogs that have been in poor sanitary conditions, though Greyhounds are also an overrepresented breed for resistant hookworm infections.
WHIPWORMS - are common parasites, with Trichuris vulpis being the species that affects dogs. They are about 5-6 millimeters in length and have a tapered end that resembles a whip.
The thicker end embeds into the wall of the intestines, causing inflammation. Early stages of whipworm infection often have no clinical signs, but with continued inflammation, eventually a dog will develop diarrhea, weight loss, poor hair coat, weakness, blood in the stool, and/or anemia.
Tapeworms are common in dogs, with Dipylidium caninum being the most common species that affects dogs. Their hook-like mouth parts attach to the walls of the intestines.
These worms can reach 30 centimeters in length and have segments (called proglottids) that are passed in the f***s. These segments are about 12 millimeters long and look like moving grains of rice.
TAPEWORMS - can only be transmitted by fleas, so the best way to prevent them is by keeping your dog on flea control medication. Clinical signs of infestation are usually minimal, such as itchiness around the a**s and licking the hind end frequently. In puppies, clinical signs are more severe and include anemia, poor growth, and even blocked intestines.
GIARDIA - is a protozoal parasite that may or may not cause symptoms. Dogs with healthy immune systems can clear it from their body without you noticing. Other dogs may have diarrhea, weight loss, abdominal pain, dull hair coat, decreased appetite, or vomiting. This parasite is contagious to humans and causes similar clinical signs.
COCCIDIA - is a protozoal parasite that can also cause no clinical signs in healthy adult dogs, but it causes diarrhea, vomiting, failure to gain weight, poor hair coat, and lethargy in puppies or immunocompromised adult dogs.