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Dear Rugley

My Doctor asked that my owner bring in a sample of my stool to be tested.  I'm kind of embarrassed that they would need to do that.  

What is it that you are going to do with my stool?  

And why is it so important?  

Can you help me understand?

Corderoy, Dunstable MA

Dear Corderoy,

Every pet should have a fecal exam on an annual basis. This is important for young pets, older pets, pets that spend most of their lives outdoors as well as mainly indoor pets.

When we are born most of us contract parasites from our mothers. This is relatively normal but something that we don't want to have. Once we are older it is possible that we pick up any number of parasites from the ground we walk on, or even the grass that our owners have walked through. All it takes is a microscopic bug that we lick off of our paw to start the cycle of a nasty parasite that may make us sick.

In order to test the stool, all the veterinarian needs is a dime sized amount from a relatively fresh stool sample. The stool is then mixed with a floatation solution and left to sit for ten minutes to allow the parasite eggs to float to the top. When the allotted time has passed a technician or a doctor is able to look through a microscope to view and identify any parasites, bacteria or eggs that may have been in the stool. If you do have a "bug" the doctor will prescribe a medicine to clear up the condition and make you feel a lot better.