Intestinal Parasites: Know the Facts
Can you tell by looking if the pet/item has intestinal parasites? Check your knowledge with this quick quiz.
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Intestinal Parasites: Know the Facts
Which animal has intestinal parasites?
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Intestinal parasites can cause GI upset issues, weight loss, and malnutrition in pets, but some animals may not display any visible symptoms at all.
Visibly sick or malnourished pet
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Intestinal parasites are common in puppies and kittens because they can contract them from their mothers.
Kittens or puppies
Which stool sample has parasites present?
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Some intestinal parasites, such as roundworms and tapeworms, may be seen in a pet’s stool.
Our intestinal parasite tests are especially effective because we send samples to a reference lab that detects infestations that other standard tests may miss, even if worms or eggs are not present in the sample.
Worms in stool
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Many common intestinal parasites, including hookworms and whipworms, are invisible, and cannot be detected without an intestinal parasite test.
Testing is not only important for the health of your pet, but also because some of the most common intestinal parasites are zoonotic, which means they can be passed from pets to their human families.
Plain stool
Which lifestyle puts a pet at risk for parasites?
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Both indoor and outdoor pets can be at risk for intestinal parasites.
Indoor cats can become infested by sharing a litter box with other cats, contact with infested animals, or ingesting fleas while grooming.
Pet Stays Indoors
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Since many pets may appear healthy and show no signs of an intestinal parasite infestation, it’s important to have them tested regularly.
Intestinal parasite tests let us know which parasites a pet may have so we can develop the appropriate treatment plan to effectively kill the parasites.
Pet Lives Indoor & Outdoor
Test Regularly, Stay Safe
Veterinarians recommend that puppies and kittens be tested for intestinal parasites twice during initial vaccinations. Subsequent tests are recommended annually through adulthood.
Contactless tests are available for only $35!*
Pets can qualify for this virtual service if they have had an in-person visit within the past 11 months, making them a current VCPR (veterinarian-client-patient-relationship).
If your pet hasn’t visited us in the past 11 months, check to see if your local clinic is offering pet visits to establish a VCPR. If your clinic isn’t offering pet visits yet, you can still join our wait list.
* Tests are only $25 as an add-on or for a recheck, and FREE with Best Start Puppy or Kitten packages.
