Taking a fecal to the vet?

[sw204me]

Anyone know how long I can get a fecal in the fridge to take to the vet to have it checked for parasites? I put it in there this morning, how long before its not good?

[dirty ric]

I put it in a zip lock bag and freez it, take it the vet the next day. Most parasites will stay in the sample. There are some that die with in a few hours. From what I have read on the board here, the major ones you have to worry about will stay in the sample for some time.

[sw204me]

was told if you freeze it you kill all the parasites and they explode dude to them freezing and expanding.

[dr del]

Hi,


Freezing the sample could actually be counterproductive due to the damage it does to cells - especially when trying to find a single celled parasite.


When is your vet appointment for? I would imagine the sample would be of use for a decent amount of time as the parasites don't need to be alive to be iudentified in the float iirc.


dr del

[sw204me]

I don't have an appointment as I am still trying to even find a herp vet around here. I took her to the vet back home, she got her meds and I gave her her 4th dose of panacur and thats when the vet back home said to take in a fecal sample to get retested.

Anyone have that link to find herp vets in your area?

[dr del]

This one?


It's also worth asking local zoo's and (good) petshops which vet they use if there isnt anything on that list.


dr del

[sw204me]

that'd be the one, thanks.

[rabernet]

You really don't need an appointment if all you want to do is have a fecal test done. Call a local vet from the list, and ask them if you can drop off the sample for a fecal test. They'll then call you with the results. They should just charge you for the fecal test.

[frankykeno]

Yep and some depending on the clinic and if the techs are busy can even check the sample while you wait. No need to worry about an appointment or hauling the snake along, just phone around, ask who does fecals on snakes, tell them this is a follow-up check from the vet where you just moved from and you should find a clinic that will do it. Don't freeze the sample, just keep it refridgerated in a sealed ziploc baggie. When you drop it off do let them know how long it's been since the sample was collected.

[icygirl]

http://www.herpvetconnection.com/
This is the site I usually use.