The Importance of Fecal Testing for Dogs (and How K9U Simplifies the Process)

September 18, 2024September 18, 2024 by K9 University Chicago

Dog owners must be familiar with the various aspects of pet care. Fecal testing plays an essential role in detecting intestinal parasites that can cause discomfort and health issues and may even be passed on to humans. It should be performed several times throughout a dog’s first year and every six months as the dog ages.

K9U Chicago cares for our pack. That’s why we require fecal testing for every dog that uses our services. If your dog is not up to date on fecal testing, we can provide it at our location, hassle-free.

What Is Fecal Testing?

For fecal testing, the owner will bring in a sample for the vet to examine. In most instances, the vet will mix the sample with a special solution and either spin it at a high speed or allow it to sit for a predetermined period. The aim is to get parasites and parasite eggs (if present) to rise to the top of the bottle for detection purposes.

Vets may also perform a fecal smear which requires placing a small sample of your dog’s feces on a slide and examining it under a microscope. This method is typically used to detect Giardia, the most common type of dog parasite, but it can also reveal other information on your dog’s intestinal health.

What Parasites Does Fecal Testing Detect?

Fecal testing can detect various common parasites including:

Roundworms: Parasites in a dog’s intestines that can cause various health issues.
Hookworms: These infectious parasites can easily be transferred to other dogs.
Giardia: This common parasite can affect up to 45% of dogs in some populations.
Whipworms: Whipworms attach to the lining of the dog’s intestine causing serious health conditions.
Coccidia: These microscopic parasites infect the dog’s intestinal tract causing weight loss, diarrhea, and dehydration.

Health Risks Detected by Fecal Testing

Parasites may cause symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, distended belly, lethargy, weakness, anemia, and pale gums. But in some instances, it is not symptomatic. That’s why fecal testing is so important.

If parasites are left untreated, they can lead to:

Organ Damage: Parasites can damage your dog’s intestines and vital organs.
Intestinal Blockage: Tapeworms can cause intestinal blockage leading to nausea, pain, and constipation.
Stunted Growth: Parasites can interfere with growth in younger dogs.
Transmission of Disease: A parasite can carry diseases like Lyme disease and Ehrlichiosis that can be transmitted to other dogs and people. The parasites themselves can also spread to other pets and people.
Blood Loss: Dogs with parasites may experience blood loss leading to pale gums, weakness, and anemia.

How Often Should Dogs Be Tested?

Dogs should undergo fecal testing several times in the first year of life. From then on, fecal testing is recommended every six months. However, you may get your dog tested more often if they are exposed to communal environments like daycare and boarding centers.

K9U’s Convenient Fecal Testing Service

K9U requires that all dogs receive fecal testing before attending our daycare and boarding centers. If your dog does not have records of current testing, we can perform a test in-house saving you the hassle of scheduling a vet visit. We work with Antech Diagnostics for reliable parasite screening and can deliver results by the next day.

Vaccinations and Fecal Testing: A Holistic Approach to Pet Health

Fecal testing is just a part of regular pet care. Dogs should also receive the following core vaccines:

Canine distemper/adenovirus-2/hepatitis/parvovirus/ parainfluenza: This is often administered as one vaccine referred to as DA2PP, DHPP, or DAPP
Rabies virus

Dogs may also receive non-core vaccines depending on geographic locations and how often they partake in communal activities:

Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough) vaccine
Leptospira (leptospirosis ) vaccine
Borrelia burgdorferi (Lyme Disease) vaccine
H3N2/H3N8 (canine influenza) vaccine
Crotalux atrox (rattlesnake) vaccine

Proactive Health Measures at K9U

K9U oversees various aspects of canine health. Our daycare and boarding facilities ensure dogs get the socialization and training they need. We also provide grooming and fecal testing services that benefit physical health and maintain clean environments to keep our centers free of disease.