Intestinal parasites are a threat to your pet and the people in your family. Some of these parasites can be contagious to people as well as to other pets. Annual parasite checks are very important for your family's health, and are highly recommended by the CDC (Center for Disease Control).
Why does the veterinarian want to check a stool sample?
Dogs (and cats) are victims of several internal parasites frequently referred to as worms. The most common are the roundworms, hookworms, whipworms and tapeworms. Of these four only two are commonly seen in the stool with the unaided eye: roundworms and tapeworms.
Some infestations cause few or no symptoms; in fact some worm eggs or larvae can be dormant in the dog's body and activated only in times of stress, or in the case of roundworms and hookworms, until the later stages of pregnancy when they activate and infest the soon-to-be-born puppies and kittens.
This is precisely why a stool sample is often required in order to discover which parasite is present; the presence of these worms' eggs can often only be detected microscopically.
Keep in mind that it is the goal of each parasite to stay in the safety of the intestinal tract; if they come out, they'll die! They don't want to be detected!
http://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/evr_dg_intestinal_worms_in_dogs
Dr. Mayes recommends having your pet tested for intestinal parasites at least annually, more if you spend time traveling, boarding your pets or at dog parks. Unfortunately intestinal parasites do not always show up on a fecal test so we recommend annually deworming as well, this holds especially true for puppies and kittens.
If your pet does have a positive intestinal parasite check we will recommend a dewormer that treats the specific type of intestinal parasite found in your pet as well as any housemates as intestinal parasites are found in the environment as well. We will also recommend ways to rid your home and yard, this will include picking up after your pet EVERYTIME they use the restroom. We will also recommend a recheck fecal around 3 months from the original fecal.
It is highly important that you keep your pet on heartworm prevention as several heartworm medications also protect your pet from some (not all) intestinal parasites!
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