At Home Fecal Float Testing

[Relleoms]

Hi All,
If I were to purchase equipment to perform basic fecal float tests at home for worms & coccidiocis, what would I need and is it practical? My vet is an hour away and I’d like to treat for these conditions only if needed without having to drive so far to drop off samples.
Thanks in advance!

 

[The Phantom]

I do my own. Do you have a microscope?

 

[Kiki]

This is an EXCELLENT thread, full of great info:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/doing-fecal-floats-at-home.1047614/

 

[Relleoms]

I do my own. Do you have a microscope?

I don’t! Obviously that’s the most crucial tool, but it seems like there are so many options. Do you have any recommendations? What other items besides slides would I need?

 

[Relleoms]

This is an EXCELLENT thread, full of great info:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/doing-fecal-floats-at-home.1047614/

Sweet, thank you! Not sure how I missed this.

 

[Kiki]

Sweet, thank you! Not sure how I missed this.

It's hidden in the Peafowl forum.

 

[casportpony]

I don’t! Obviously that’s the most crucial tool, but it seems like there are so many options. Do you have any recommendations? What other items besides slides would I need?

In addition to a scope I would look into getting a centrifuge based on this:

"This vet says centrifugation is the way to go http://www.capcvet.org/expert-articles/why-fecal-centrifugation-is-better/

"I perform an interesting exercise every year in my parasitology class by using a fecal sample from a dog with a hookworm burden typical of what practitioners would see in pet dogs. The students are divided into three groups. One group performs a direct smear, another group mixes 2 g of feces with flotation solution and performs a passive flotation procedure, and the third group uses 2 g of feces and performs the centrifugal flotation procedure.
Each year the results are graphic. Usually only 25% of the students performing the direct smear recover hookworm eggs. About 70% of the students performing the passive flotation procedure report seeing hookworm eggs. And every year, without exception, 100% of the students performing the centrifugal flotation procedure report recovering hookworm eggs. This simple exercise convinces my students of the improved sensitivity of centrifugation. Improved recovery rates using centrifugal flotation procedures are also substantiated by published studies.1-4"

 

[Kiki]

In addition to a scope I would look into getting a centrifuge based on this:

"This vet says centrifugation is the way to go http://www.capcvet.org/expert-articles/why-fecal-centrifugation-is-better/

"I perform an interesting exercise every year in my parasitology class by using a fecal sample from a dog with a hookworm burden typical of what practitioners would see in pet dogs. The students are divided into three groups. One group performs a direct smear, another group mixes 2 g of feces with flotation solution and performs a passive flotation procedure, and the third group uses 2 g of feces and performs the centrifugal flotation procedure.
Each year the results are graphic. Usually only 25% of the students performing the direct smear recover hookworm eggs. About 70% of the students performing the passive flotation procedure report seeing hookworm eggs. And every year, without exception, 100% of the students performing the centrifugal flotation procedure report recovering hookworm eggs. This simple exercise convinces my students of the improved sensitivity of centrifugation. Improved recovery rates using centrifugal flotation procedures are also substantiated by published studies.1-4"

I know what's on my list for Santa this year!

 

[Relleoms]

I know what's on my list for Santa this year!

Seriously!!!

 

[Kiki]

Seriously!!!

Dead serious....my birthday is closer than Christmas though. Hmm...thinking.