Veterinary Parasitology

Collection
• In small animal medicine, fecal
samples are often brought in by
clients.
• These samples can certainly be
acceptable if:
The sample is fresh.
Samples obtained later from the
yard, pen, or litter box
are not acceptable.
The volume of sample is adequate.
Pooled samples
• Pooled fecal samples describes a collection of fecal samples obtained
from a group of animals that are housed together.
• It is important to note that the results of this fecal analysis will result
in the whole herd being treated for the parasite.
Gross examination
1. Consistency
• The normal consistency varies depending upon the species.
2. Color
• Unusual color should be noted, as it could give insight into other underlying conditions.
3. Blood
• Note any blood present.
4. Mucous
• Mucous may be present on the surface of fresh feces.
5. Gross parasites
• Parasites may be visible upon gross examination of the stool.
Microscopic examination
• The goal of microscopic examination is to detect parasite ova or
oocysts in the patient’s sample.
• Regardless of the preparation method, the examination procedure
should be consistent.
Direct fecal smear
• One advantage of the direct
smear method is that is requires
very little feces.
• This technique is particularly
useful for viewing live, motile,
trophozoites.
Simple fecal flotation
• The principle behind this
method is to use the differences
in specific gravity of para-site
eggs and cysts from that of fecal
debris and the solution.
• In these methods, an estimate is
made of the number of parasite
ova per gram of feces.
• A common flotation medium is
sodium nitrate solution.
Centrifugation technique
• This technique is more efficient
at recovering parasite ova from a
sample.
• A variable angle centrifuge is
necessary for this technique.
Baermann technique
• Baermann Technique is used to
recover parasite larvae, not ova.
Common parasites of domestic species
Canine and feline
• Nematodes: Toxocara species: Toxocara canis, Toxocara cati
and Toxascaris leonina
• Toxocara canis (above)
• Toxascaris leonine (below)
 Ancylostoma species: Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Ancylostoma
braziliense and Uncinaria stenocephala
Ancylostoma spp.
Strongyloides species: Strongyloides stercoralis and
Strongyloides trumiefaciense
Trichuris species: Trichuris vulpis, Trichuris campanula and
Trichuris serrate
Trichuris spp. (whipworm)
Aelurostrongylus abstrusus
Filaroides species: Filaroides osleri, Filaroides hirthi and Filaroides milksi
Cestodes: Dipylidium caninum
Dipylidium caninum (flea tapeworm)
Taenia species: Taenia pisiformis, Taenia hydatigena and Taenia ovis
Taenia taeniaeformis
Taenia spp. Ova and
Echinococcus species: Echinococcus granulosus and
Echinococcus multilocularis
Echinococcus spp
Trematodes: Alaria
Paragonium kellicotti
Paragonimus kellicotti
Protozoans: Giardia
Giardia cyst
Cystoisospora(formerly Isospora)
Cystoisospora felis (coccidia)
Toxoplasma gondii
Small Toxoplasma oocysts.
Cryptosporidium
Cryptosporidium