Have you ever wondered why veterinarians recommend yearly fecal testing and what exactly is tested for? It’s not because we enjoy pet poop. We recommend “fecals” because they are an important part of your pet’s annual exam. Fecals allow veterinarians to check your pet for intestinal parasites. Intestinal parasites are a major cause of infection in pets and also a concern for people. According to Kansas State, 34% of dogs in the United States have some kind of intestinal parasite, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that 14% of people in the U.S. have been exposed to the roundworm. As a result of toxocara infections, approximately 700 people lose vision every year. Fecals are an important tool to ensure that your pet and your household are not infected and exposed to intestinal parasites, respectively. What do fecals detect? Fecals enable veterinarians to determine if your pet has intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, coccidia and giardia. Since intestinal parasites live in your pet’s gastrointestinal tract, they are usually hidden from view. Unlike external parasites like fleas and ticks, most intestinal parasites are never seen. The only way to detect the presence of intestinal parasites and identify them is by doing a fecal. How to provide a proper fecal sample? When it comes to food, we all know that fresh is best. Not surprisingly, the same is true for stool samples. The fact is that fresher stool samples give you more accurate and sensitive results. Eggs and larvae from some types of parasites, as well as protozoa and protozoan cysts, can become altered and unrecognizable the longer they sit out. For the best results, collect the freshest stool sample and bring it to your veterinarian the same day. If this is not possible, you can seal the fecal sample in a ziploc® bag and refrigerate it until you can bring it to your veterinarian. If you’re putting it in your refrigerator, I recommend being extra careful to not dirty the outside of the ziploc® bag and double bagging it to insure you do not contaminate your fridge and food. But remember, fresher is better! How often does your pet need a fecal? According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC), adult pets should be tested twice annually, and puppies and kittens 4 times in the first year of life. Speak with your veterinarian to find out how frequently you should bring in your pet’s stool sample. Ultimately, the goal is to identify and treat parasitic infections that may be compromising your pet’s health and even putting your family at risk. Along with monthly, year-round parasite preventatives; routine fecal exams are the best way to ensure that your pet and your household are safe from intestinal parasites. Now that you know why it’s important to collect a poop sample and how to do it the right way, Click here to see our 7 hilariously bad poop sample fails video.