Fecal analysis: overview

• Examination of feces can be helpful in investigation of gastrointestinal disease
• Tests performed include:
• • Bacterial culture and sensitivity:  Fecal analysis: bacteriology: Salmonella, Campylobacter, Yersinia (rare).
  • Occult blood Fecal analysis: occult blood.
  • Parasitology: Giardia, Cryptosporidia, Trichomonas, Toxacara, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Paragonimus kellicotti, Aleurostrongylus abstrusus.
  • Proteolytic activity.
  • Fat Fat.
  • Virology, eg rotavirus Canine rotavirus.

Alone

• Detection of bacterial, viral and parasitic causes of gastroenteritis or diarrhea.

In combination

• Overall investigation of anemia Anemia: immune-mediated hemolytic.
• Diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic insufficiency Exocrine pancreatic insufficienc (rare); TLI test is better.

• Rectal sample or freshly voided feces.

• 5 g.

Precautions

• Routine hygiene.

Sample storage

• Refrigerate if sample is not being mailed immediately.

Sample transport

• Package according to mailing Regulations .
• Transport median if required, eg for Salmonella.

• Varies with individual test, eg fecal sedimentation, fecal flotation, fecal culture.

• Routine.

• Experience required varies with test.

• Enteritis.
• Ill thrift.
• Tracheobronchitis ( Filaroides rostratus) (pulmonary disease) Paragonimus, Aleurostrongylus.
• Pruritis ani.
• Vomiting (kittens) Vomiting.
• Maldigestion/malabsorbtion.
• Anemia.

Refereed papers

• Recent references from VetMedResource and PubMed.