Urinalysis and Fecal Exam

Parasites, both internal and external, are a zoonotic threat that should be taken seriously by every pet parent. Not only can they make your pet’s life uncomfortable, but many parasites pose a risk to you and your well. Internal parasites, including intestinal worms, fleas, and heartworms, can be easily prevented with strategic parasite preventatives.

Why are fecal examinations important?

These worms can produce a variety of symptoms, ranging from mild to severe. The best way to protect your family from these parasites is to routinely deworm your pets, wash your hands regularly and encourage your children to wear shoes when playing outside. We recommend regular flea and intestinal worm preventives, such as Nexgard, Sentinel, or Revolution.

Urinalysis

At PetWorks Veterinary Hospital we offer in-clinic testing of your pet’s urine and provide high-quality sample collection through an ultrasound-guided cystocentesis. This procedure does not typically require sedation, and it allows for visualization of the bladder and a sterile urine collection. This provides more accurate results than what is typically referred to as a “free catch” which can be contaminated during collection.

If my dog’s urine test reveals a urinary tract infection, what can I do?

It is important to follow your veterinarian’s recommendations as urinary tract infections can be persistent and may lead to long-term chronic conditions if not treated appropriately.