Cat pcr fecal test

I'm getting one of my cats tested.

I read for this feces can't have cat litter on them, but the vet didnt say that only online, is this true?

I haven't had it done so I only know what I have read online.  I know what I have read about the test for T.foetus the sample can't have litter on it.  Texas A&M developed the test and for a long time they were the only ones doing it.  Their website says that substances in some litter can affect the test.  They said to use a fecal loop to get the sample but I have no idea what they are talking about.  I know you have already read online about it but this is what Texas A&M says about that particular test  http://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/service/assays/tritrichomonas

That is true. Litter can contaminate the test results.

I always use Yesterday's News or the like when collecting stool samples. It is easy to pull the pellets off and get a *clean* sample.
Did this just today with a group of kittens.

**Also want to note that the sample should be as FRESH as possible. I always get a sample in within about 30 mins. You will need at least a marble size amount of stool. Any less and the test cannot be properly run. More is always a good thing.

I've had a couple of PCR tests done, and wasn't advised litter was an issue.  I use 'breeders choice' which is recycled newspaper in the form of pellets, so no chemicals or anything.  I also got the poo really fresh, as it was 'laid' (squirted  ), and before it was buried, so it had a minimum of pellets.

Urine sample on the other hand, I always collect fresh in a metal spoon so there is no litter contamination.

Can you ask your vet about what you have read?

Any time I've given the vet a stool sample from the cats, they didn't say anything about the litter being an issue, either. I did try to brush most of it off (with gloves on, of course) before putting it in either a plastic baggie or the container they provided me beforehand. They did tell me to refrigerate it immediately, but I would ask your vet if this is something they want you to do.

CatPack said:

Also want to note that the sample should be as FRESH as possible.

Click to expand...

This made me chuckle. Sounds like we're picking berries. 

My cat is on Probiotic, this won't affect the test?

It shouldn't.  The probiotic is supplementing the good bacteria that is in the gut already.