Fecal Test - please read -

[Rhaegal]

My beardie, Rhaegal is going to the vet tomorrow (I think he has a URI been wheezing ). I was wondering if I should get a fecal done? It's his first vet visit and I want to take one but not sure how? Three days ago he had the biggest turd in the world, and today it was tiny. I bagged it up anyways (the little one) and put in fridge just in case, but I was reading you want the fecal done the same day as when he poops? So will the stool be too old by tomorrow? It will have been about a full 24 hours, gonna try to get him to release a fresh one tomorrow but idk if he will. He's been eating supers and crickets recently, a very little tiny bit of veggies (mix of collards mustard and turnips) he was eating hornworms as well as some butters and waxies as treats, but I've been out of them for about a week now and need to reorder. Also should I take just the stool? Or urate too? His urate is connected by like a gooey skinny string to the stool too, is that weird or normal? Also it's okay to take a fecal sample from when he pooped in the bath right? Because that's about the only time he goes potty.


Sorry it was a lot, but any answers will be greatly appreciated!

 

[CooperDragon]

It couldn't hurt to bring a fecal sample along for a test. A 24hr old sample should be OK if refrigerated . Just put it in a ziploc bag and it should still be testable. Of course if you can get a fresh sample tomorrow that would be even better. Bring the urate as well. It's normal for it to be attached with what seems like a thin string. That can vary though. I've pulled the samples from the bath without a problem just drain the water and then put it in a ziploc. I hope the vet is able to determine the cause of the URI and get your buddy feeling better soon. They'll probably take a mouth swab and grow the sample over a couple of days to see if bacteria grows and what it's susceptible to. Then they can prescribe an antibiotic which is effective against that particular bacteria. I would pick up some bene-bac (for birds and reptiles) to provide along with treatment as antibiotics can be harsh on their systems. The probiotic will help replenish the gut flora killed off by the antibiotic.

 

[Rhaegal]

Okay, thanks for the reply so much. I will pick up some bene-bac as well, do many pet stores carry it? Looks like I can get it from Petsmart but online only, I'll probably just order some online. Thanks again though!

 

[CooperDragon]

Sometimes you can find it in the bird section of one of the stores. You can get it online as well though.

 

[Taterbug]

Older samples can still usually be used for a "float" test. This is to check for parasite eggs and those are pretty durable. Coccidia and pinworms are common and would show up on this test.
"Smear" tests look for live parasites and such and need to be quite fresh for best accuracy. My vet won't run a smear on a day old poo.

If the vet needs a fresh sample for some reason they can... retrieve one. Though I'm sure that can have some risks.

 

[SukiLove]

The vet that saw Suki could always get her to go in the office, I never asked how and she was never worse for wear afterwards. I'm sure it's probably along the same lines as an enema, but just thought I would add my two cents here. :wink:

 

[CooperDragon]

It's possible that an enema was given but do beware they can cause some severe problems and should be done only as a last resort. To get a sample for a basic fecal test, I would just wait until one comes along naturally. Helping things along with a little olive oil or baby food applesauce would be a better way to go if you need to induce a poop.

 

[SukiLove]

I agree Cooper, I was just giving my experience. I don't know if they did an enema or not, I can only speculate. :?:

 

[Rhaegal]

Awesome! Took Rhaegal to the vet today, his eye had a retained shed on the top and bottom eye lid which he got off for him (against his will, he came back blacker than black lol). He said the wheeze was more of a dry wheeze not wet and he doesn't have a uri. Tried to clean his nostrils out with saline to see if there was any shed there but didn't see any and said there might be a little shed somewheres in there, but he's breathing just fine and no signs of being ill! So good news I guess. Maybe he'll stop wheezing now his eye is cleared? Didn't have to get a stool sample done but I wanted it done (got a fresh one today couple hours before we left) and it was negative so another yay!. Went to Petsmart to pick up some cat litter, crickets, supers and some cricket food for him while I re order new feeders online. First time at petsmart, I think he was tired.

 

[Taterbug]

Glad he had a good checkup and was able to provide a clean poo for you! it never hurts to have a recent fecal anyway.