Since opening our doors in Bristow, Summit Veterinary Care has remained committed to raising the standard of pet care through kindness, transparency, and community connection. We’re proud to be a Fear Free Certified practice and honored to serve families who want the very best for their pets.

We believe preventive care is key to keeping pets healthy and happy. While vaccines and routine exams are critical, one often overlooked but essential aspect of preventive care is fecal testing. It might not sound glamorous, but it plays a huge role in protecting your pet — and your family — from parasites and other health issues.

What Is Fecal Testing?

Fecal testing is a simple laboratory test of your pet’s stool to check for intestinal parasites like:

• Roundworms
• Hookworms
• Tapeworms
• Whipworms
• Giardia and coccidia

Even healthy-appearing pets can carry parasites. Many parasites are invisible to the naked eye, and your pet may show no symptoms while still shedding eggs that could infect other pets or humans.

Why Fecal Testing Matters

1. Protects Your Pet’s Health
   Intestinal parasites can cause diarrhea, vomiting, weight loss, poor coat quality, anemia, and malnutrition. Early detection allows for prompt treatment before serious problems develop.
2. Protects Your Family
   Some parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, are zoonotic, meaning they can infect humans — especially children or immunocompromised family members. Regular fecal testing helps prevent accidental transmission.
3. Guides Targeted Treatment
   Not all parasites respond to the same medications. Fecal testing identifies the specific parasite, allowing your veterinarian to choose the most effective treatment.
4. Prevents Reinfection
   Testing helps ensure that treatment has worked and guides recommendations for follow-up, cleaning, and preventive measures to reduce future risk.

How Often Should Fecal Testing Be Done?

• Puppies and kittens: Recommendations vary depending on your veterinarian’s recommendation, but puppies and kittens should have at least two negative fecal tests before moving to an adult schedule.
• Adult dogs and cats: At least once a year during routine wellness exams. Pets with high-risk lifestyles (outdoor access, multiple pets, frequent boarding or daycare) may need more frequent testing.
• After treatment: Testing can confirm that deworming or parasite treatment was successful.

What to Expect at Summit Veterinary Care

Fecal testing is easy – just bring a sample to your next appointment, and we will send it out to our reference laboratory. We’ll review the results with you, provide any necessary treatment, and recommend a parasite prevention plan tailored to your pet’s lifestyle and risk factors.

At Summit Veterinary Care, we’re committed to keeping both pets and people safe from hidden parasites. Routine fecal testing is a small step that makes a big difference in your pet’s health and your peace of mind.