Notes on fecals

[FFSTRescue]

I just wanted to remind everyone that just because a fecal is clear, that does not mean the animal is not carrying the parasite. It just means that it is not shedding the parasite eggs at the time of the fecal. That is why I always suggest at least 3 fecals to be done spaced a week or two apart. Also, the animal could have several parasites and when the fecal is done, only one may be present, say coccidia for example, but other worms like alaria may not be shedding at that time. That is why it is important to do three with spacing in between. Just some suggestions

 

[kinyonga]

Its good that you've made everyone aware of this!

 

[morpheon]

You should also offer to do the fecals for everyone and i'd give you reputation points!

Joke apart, thanks for the reminder! I also heard the fecals have to be done by someone skilled, otherwise the technician could miss the eggs.

 

[Syn]

Speaking of someone skilled, I had an unskilled vet test my bearded for parasites and it came back "positive" for several parasites in which don't happen in reptiles... oh you guys.

 

[morpheon]

Haha wow!! Impressive!!

 

[FFSTRescue]

Haha, I am so sick of doing fecals that I dream about them... yes, I do them in my sleep! Talk about being desensitized.

 

[FFSTRescue]

Now that got me thinking... there are labs that you can send your animal's blood to (mainly birds) for having it DNA sexed, aren't there places you can send fecals to as long as they are kept cold? Gross thought, but I think it is a good idea!

 

[morpheon]

Yes i heard of these labs and they do fecals for free, even at night:

Minneapolis, MN 55405
ph: 612-644-7318
They also have a very good website:



























http://www.feathersfurscalesandtales.com/

 

[hallenhe]

I've ust started doing my own fecals (working in a lab, having a microscope, having the materials to make my own fecazol, etc.) and have found them pretty interesting. Some years ago I was trained in pollen identification (always a useful skill), and its interesting to see and be able to ID the pollen grains in the fecal, the indigestable bug parts, etc.

 

[draetish]

Thanks for pointing that out Kristen, good advice!

 

[FFSTRescue]

Yes i heard of these labs and they do fecals for free, even at night:

Minneapolis, MN 55405
ph: 612-644-7318
They also have a very good website:


http://www.feathersfurscalesandtales.com/

You are evil !!! I can't imagine how pretty that would smell getting parasitized poop in the mail!

 

[morpheon]

Haha, poor mail man and poor you!

I bet he would dream about it too!

 

[FFSTRescue]

Haha, poor mail man and poor you!

I bet he would dream about it too!

Or just refuse to deliver my mail

 

[morpheon]

This could be useful then! This way you might not receive some bills!

 

[toddmkeller]

I've ust started doing my own fecals (working in a lab, having a microscope, having the materials to make my own fecazol, etc.) and have found them pretty interesting. Some years ago I was trained in pollen identification (always a useful skill), and its interesting to see and be able to ID the pollen grains in the fecal, the indigestable bug parts, etc.

Doing your own fecals is MUCH MUCH MUCH more cost effective than taking 3 separate samples to the vet. Once you have paid for 3 fecals you could've bought a box of slides, covers, fecalyzers, fecal float solution, and part of your scope. Now if you have more than one chameleon you can see where that can add up. For keepers who intend on having multiple chameleons its a must have in my opinion. Imagine having 5 chameleons and one gets a parasite, you would want to test all of your chams multiple times. Say a fecal float cost 20 bux apiece... 5 chams x 3 floats @ $20 = $300 dollars - with that much money you have EVERYTHING you need to do a float - and could even pick up a good book about reptile parasites.

Anywho my 2cents

Todd

 

[FFSTRescue]

Doing your own fecals is MUCH MUCH MUCH more cost effective than taking 3 separate samples to the vet. Once you have paid for 3 fecals you could've bought a box of slides, covers, fecalyzers, fecal float solution, and part of your scope. Now if you have more than one chameleon you can see where that can add up. For keepers who intend on having multiple chameleons its a must have in my opinion. Imagine having 5 chameleons and one gets a parasite, you would want to test all of your chams multiple times. Say a fecal float cost 20 bux apiece... 5 chams x 3 floats @ $20 = $300 dollars - with that much money you have EVERYTHING you need to do a float - and could even pick up a good book about reptile parasites.

Anywho my 2cents

Todd

Very true. Microscopes have gotten really cheap now and ebay sells a brand that I have heard is actually pretty good, when I remember what it was, I will make a post about it. It was like $150, which is great for a microscope, most of them at that price literally fall apart. I will do some research and find the brand name.

 

[morpheon]

My trick is even better than yours Todd: i ship them to Kristen! The only cost is the shipping one!

More seriously, yes, it sure can be less expensive to buy your own stuff! However, id be affraid to not do it properly! However, if you want to train me, this would be something else!