Doing your own fecals

[BocaJan]

Several years ago there was directions on how to do a fecal. I have been thinking about learning how since I have so many chams and before I invest in a microscope I want to make sure I can feel comfortable doing the actual fecal.

I did a search but didn't come up with anything positive. Does anyone have directions or do their own and have directions I might use?

 

[okiroo]

i've never done one(on a chameleon poop) but i think if you were unshure you could post it here and get some help. i know the very basics of things but am no means good at it. seems useful for people who have alot of chams

 

[jannb]

We have thought about doing our own. Our daughter even has a microscope but I would never feel confident enough and would have to email Dr. Alfonso my findings so I figure just let him do the fecals. Sometimes he even sees something that he's not quite sure of and sends it out to the labs.

 

[BocaJan]

I'm thinking that I would at least be able to see if there was nothing there. If I saw something I could then take it to the vet. Sort of a preliminary fecal. I have a lot of chams and it is costly at $25 a wack to get a fecal done only to find out that it is clean. I am getting all my new family members done, but sometimes it is hard to get a fresh sample when I need it. They don't like to go on command. So, I thought if I could get directions and find a used microscope I could at least do a preliminary check.

 

[clarkrw3]

I do my own...do a search for coccidia I think you will find the thread you are looking for that way. Sorry don't have time right now to search for the thread

 

[BocaJan]

Thanks - I'll try it.

 

[ataraxia]

1. Get fresh poo and put in a vial, test tube or what ever you want.
2. You will need fecasol or you can make you own with pickling or marine salt with r/o water to a 1.2 specific gravity. You will need a hydrometer to measure this. Take a dropper or syringe and fill the container half way. Take a glass stir or i use a bamboo skewers and mix the two up a tad bit. Then top it off with more of the solution till you see it form a bulge of water at the top of whatever you used as a container.
3. wait atleast 15-20 minutes
4. take a slide place it over the container and carefully remove it and place a slide cover over the area that is now wet.
5. Place it on the stage and have fun.

Dont be afraid or think you cant do it. You have to try and explore. It is very simple and will save you tons in the end.

 

[BocaJan]

I',m looking forward to it. I just need to find a microscope and slides.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

Here's a link to the thread on this forum where we described our process with the microscope. The pics are gone but I'll try to retrieve them. All the narrative is still there.

 

[BocaJan]

The link is gone but I found it. It is most informative. I am currently in the process of finding a microscope. I ordered the book which was the easy part and am searching Craigs List and Ebay.

 

[Chameleons Northwest]

The link is gone but I found it. It is most informative. I am currently in the process of finding a microscope. I ordered the book which was the easy part and am searching Craigs List and Ebay.

Duh. Sorry. Forgot to add the link. Glad you found it:
https://www.chameleonforums.com/fyi-fecals-7819/

 

[pssh]

I was told to get the reptile parasites book in the book store when I was considering doing my own fecals as well. I believe the person who told me to get it said that it has instructions on how to do fecals as well.

 

[BocaJan]

I bought that book yesterday.