An abrupt change in your cat s diet will almost always cause a change in stool schwartz says.
Stool sample kitten.
How to take a cat stool sample.
Be careful not to go over the line.
Kittens are especially susceptible to parasites so they require more frequent stool tests.
It sounds crazy but a clump of kitty urine can often be confused for cat poop but a cat urine sample will be rejected when checking for fecal parasites.
Here are 5 tips on getting that all important stool sample to your vet.
Mark waldrop of the nashville cat clinic.
Diet changes can temporarily affect the smell color and quality of your cat s poop notes dr.
To figure out the source of your stomach problems your doctor may order a stool sample culture test.
A cat stool sample should be at least an.
Either way collecting a stool sample doesn t have to be difficult or messy.
The fresher the better.
If your doctor has not ordered the sample and you are collecting it on your own you may want to request a.
A few grams is enough think an eighth of a teaspoon if that s easier.
Collect a sample from kittens every 2 to 3 weeks for up to 20 weeks.
Your vet may request a stool sample if your cat shows symptoms of a worm infection or other health problem.
Collect and bring in a stool sample for any kittens you have the first time you take them to the vet and then any time your vet requests follow up samples.
Diarrhea that lasts for 24 to 48 hours probably won t cause a problem unless you have an older cat or a kitten.
Taking a cat stool sample is simple.
The medical facility requesting the sample should have provided you with a container to collect the sample.
Learn what you need to know before the test how it s performed and what the results mean.
Turn a ziplock plastic bag inside out and with your hand pick up the poop.
A cat stool sample should be fresh meaning that it is still moist and not hardened.
Then we put it through one of three processes.
We take a tiny sample of your pet s stool very fresh is always best.
Sometimes it comes and goes quickly.
Other times it can last for days weeks or months or come back on a regular basis.
We take about a half gram of stool and smear it onto a microscope slide to search for parasites and bacteria directly.
If this is the case limit the stool sample to the fill line indicated on the container.
This means that your cat stool sample should not be older than 5 hours.
If your dog s poop has sat out in the backyard for 3 days leave it there.
