Our vet asked us to bring a stool sample when we bring in our kitten- without the sample card (like you would get from the doctor) how do I do this? Do vets want the stool in like a bag or just a swab from it like people do.? Strange question I know but this our first pet.
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Stool Sample
- Thread starter sweety72785
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I think you could pretty much just get some and if you have an old pill bottle rinse it out and put it in that or worst case scenario, just put it in a plastic ziploc sandwich bag. I would just make sure you have enough for them to do a good test (or more if necessary).
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- #3
ok thanks
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I was told a long long time ago to substitute litter with paper in the box to get a stool sample...
If you only have the one kitten you shouldn't have any problem getting a sample from it's litter. (It might have a few bits of litter on it but I don't think the vet lab will mind.)
I wondered this too when I first got Prego
I always just put it in a ziploc bag. Just scoop it out of the litter box and drop it in. Try to make sure it's as "fresh" as possible, within the last 24 hours or less. Less is probably better. They don't need much for the test, but I usually go ahead and bring in the entire stool. They also told me it doesn't matter if there's litter in it.
Good luck with your new kitten!
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So you don't have to worry about the litter- go to the store and get a large bag of dried beans and use that for litter instead. Then take a ziploc bag and put the cat's name on it, and place the sample inside, seal it up. Keep it refrigerated till you can get to the vet
Exactly! I used to work for a vet and unfortunately stool tests were part of the deal, haha... the bean idea is great but dont worry too much about the litter - with a big enough poo, the tech can get a good sample from the middle of it.... when we take samples in from our dog, we do the ziplock bag with the name (use your pet's first name and your last - you'd be surprised how many pets have the same names!) and then put that inside like a brown sack lunch paper bag, just to be kinda discreet, haha... I assume you only have one cat, but if not, try to follow the specific kitty into the litter box and grab a fresh sample right after she's done!
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- #9
Thanks for all the input. Im not sure I understand the beans suggestion. What is the difference from the litter?
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beans can be "plucked off easier..
I love animals....but I`m glad i`m not a vet....or a human lab tec either for that matter!
Linda
Linda
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- #12
The sample is because there was blood, will they be able to find out what is wrong even if there is no blood the day I collect the sample?
Yes, they can find what they need with or without the blood. The blood itself is not diagnostic, it's what might be causing the blood.
The stool sample should be as fresh as possible, taken that morning. This will make it easier to separate the parasite eggs from the rest of the sample.
The stool sample should be as fresh as possible, taken that morning. This will make it easier to separate the parasite eggs from the rest of the sample.
Exactly!
They basically take a tiny sample from what you bring in, "float it" (that's kinda hard to explain, it's just a process they use for seperating parts of the stool sample), then look at it under a microscope to see if there are any type of parasite eggs in your kitty's poo... definitely not the most fun part about working as a vet tech, haha, but worth it to make everyone's babies all better!
LOL, this reminds me of the time I had to do this. I ran to the litterbox everytime I heard a scratch, little pill bottle open and spoon ready. I waited until Luna finished her thing and then hurried to spoon some of it before she started burrying.lol And it smelled absolutely horrible! Poor Looney, she had diarrhea for weeks. I was really pitying the lab person who would open the bottle.lol
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- #16
Great thanks, I was wanting to find out what was causing the bleeding so much I was worried if there was no blood there would be no trace of the cause. Do I need to get the litter off the sample and leave very minimum or will it be ok just to scoop?
I used to work in a veterinary pathology clinic and yes they will be able to tell if there is blood in the sample even if you can't see it.
And trust me, kitty litter can be very annoying!! I mean if you can't avoid it then there is nothing you can do, but we used to laugh about how there almost used to be more kitty litter than poo!! Try and get at least 1-2 grams of sample (sorry for the units, you'll have to find a converter!) in order to get the most out of the tests.
And trust me, kitty litter can be very annoying!! I mean if you can't avoid it then there is nothing you can do, but we used to laugh about how there almost used to be more kitty litter than poo!! Try and get at least 1-2 grams of sample (sorry for the units, you'll have to find a converter!) in order to get the most out of the tests.
