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Stacy Upshaw
Member
Username: 36541
Post Number: 431
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 - 12:45 pm: |   |
Hi Dr. O. Is there such thing as a home fecal float, just to give a rough idea of level of parasite infestation? Could you mix a supersaturated salt solution and break 1/2 of manure ball into it with any visible results? |
Margy
Member
Username: annaspop
Post Number: 46
Registered: 9-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Jan 28, 2009 - 8:50 pm: | |
Stacy, is this what you want?
Cat and Horse Supplies, Pet Meds and Nutritio ,KV Pet & Equine / KV HealthLinks - Dog, Cat and Horse Supplies, Pet Meds and Nutritio |
Amanda Rodriguez
Member
Username: vinni
Post Number: 9
Registered: 1-2009
| | Posted on Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 - 1:08 am: | |
You have to have a way to get the correct specific gravity of the solution and you need slides and a microscope so you can see the eggs. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: dro
Post Number: 22216
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 - 8:35 am: | |
Amanda is right and to expand on it slightly, I would recommend the commercial solution to insure the specific gravity is correct, you want about a gram of stool, then you need a container to conduct the float in. These are very inexpensive and will have instructions on how to transfer the eggs to the slide by means of the cover. However the hard part is identifying the eggs. I find most folks need personal instruction the first few times. I have had some clients with large herds that do their own fecals but it takes time and considerable investment or time and money if you do not have a microscope.
DrO |
Lori
Member
Username: maggienm
Post Number: 958
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, Jan 29, 2009 - 9:05 am: | |
Yup, call me strange, but this appeals to me, I am such a do-it yourselfer.
I will have to find out if these kits are available in my area.
Dr. O, if there is some interest maybe you could write a tutorial for us? I have heard various accounts of how long the eggs are viable in the samples, one person has told me that of course I am getting negative results in my samples because by the time it actually gets tested the eggs are dead. But aren't they still visible?
I know, squeeze it in between monoriting posts already, your paying job, home life.
Truly I hesitated to even mention it but I really trust your information and articles. |
Amanda Rodriguez
Member
Username: vinni
Post Number: 10
Registered: 1-2009
| | Posted on Friday, Jan 30, 2009 - 2:41 am: | |
My question is... what is an acceptable number of eggs and how do you determine how many eggs are in your sample? I assume you base it on number per field under the scope. In dogs, cats, and exotics any eggs seen are unacceptable and the animal would be dewormed if seen. Why would we not do this with our horses? |
Stacy Upshaw
Member
Username: 36541
Post Number: 434
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, Jan 30, 2009 - 8:52 am: | |
Yes, have microscope and like Lori I have the persistent desire to try things myself. It may be a character trait developed in conjunction with a horsing childhood! Drives my husband crazy sometimes though! Thanks for the KV Vet link Margy, I'll update the discussion if I get some results. Stacy |
