FR
ENWhy does your veterinarian need a fecal sample?
Microscopic evaluation of a stool sample is a non-invasive test with high diagnostic value. It rapidly identifies the cause of many gastrointestinal disorders.
Intestinal parasites
Gastrointestinal worms, coccidia, giardia, toxoplasma: fecal analysis detects these organisms or their eggs in your pet's stool.
Digestive health
The test provides information about pancreatic and intestinal function, and can reveal microbiome imbalances responsible for chronic diarrhea.
Pathogenic bacteria
Certain bacteria cause significant digestive disorders. Fecal analysis identifies them and guides the appropriate antibiotic treatment.
A simple but essential test
Fecal analysis is the baseline test for evaluating intestinal symptoms. If results remain negative despite persistent symptoms, your veterinarian may recommend further tests: abdominal ultrasound, blood work, or intestinal biopsy.
Prepare your materials before collection
Having everything ready in advance makes the procedure faster and safer. All items are available at pharmacies.
Practical tip
Our clinic can provide a specially designed collection container, airtight and pre-labeled. Feel free to request one during your next call or visit.
Essential precautions before you start
Animal stool can contain infectious agents transmissible to humans. Strict hygiene is essential throughout the entire procedure.
Infectious agents of concern
GI worms
Several types of intestinal worms potentially transmissible to humans
Giardia
Intestinal parasite transmissible to humans through fecal-oral contact
Coccidia
Unicellular parasites causing digestive disorders, especially in young animals
Toxoplasmosis
Particularly concerning for pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals
Hygiene rules to follow
- Gloves required: wear disposable gloves during collection and any handling of the sample
- Immediate handwashing: after collection, before touching your face, clothing, or other surfaces
- Keep the spoon flat: avoid bending it to prevent splashing or contamination
- Hold container open: when inserting the sample to avoid contaminating the edges or lid
At-risk individuals: delegate the collection
Pregnant women and immunocompromised individuals should not collect the sample themselves. Ask someone else to do it and ensure they follow the hygiene rules described above.
Before you start: a few important checks
Good preparation prevents common mistakes and ensures a reliable analysis result.
- Veterinarian's instructions: re-read the specific instructions given during your last call or visit (quantity, delay, special technique)
- Labeled container: prepare the container in advance with your pet's name and the expected collection date
- Normal diet: do not change your pet's food before collection; abnormal stools caused by a dietary change could skew results
- Materials at hand: set out gloves, container, and spoon before going outside or approaching the litter box
- Best timing: morning stools are generally freshest and most representative for analysis
Technique by species
The method differs slightly between dogs and cats. Follow the steps for your specific pet.
Collecting from a dog
Outdoors: step-by-step technique
Go outside with your dog and your materials
Bring gloves, container, and spoon. Stay close to your dog at the moment of defecation to act quickly; fresh stool provides the best analysis results.
Collect immediately after defecation
Collect the sample within minutes of defecation. The longer you wait, the more parasites degrade and become unviable for analysis.
Sample from the center of the stool, away from the ground
Use the spoon to collect from the center of the stool, not the surface touching the ground or the ends. Quantity: approximately one teaspoon (1–2 g).
Transfer to container and seal
Place the sample in the airtight container and close it immediately. Remove gloves by turning them inside out (without touching the outer surface) and wash your hands.
Collecting from a cat
At the litter box: step-by-step technique
Clean the litter box and refill with fresh litter
Empty the box completely and fill it with clean litter. Clean litter prevents cross-contamination with old stool or environmental agents.
Wait for your cat to use the litter box
Stay nearby to know when defecation occurs. Wait time can range from a few minutes to several hours depending on the cat.
Sample from 3 different areas of the stool
Using the spoon, collect a small sample from 3 different points of the same stool for representativeness. Total quantity: about one teaspoon.
Alternative: plastic wrap under the litter
If your cat refuses to use a clean litter box, place plastic wrap under a very thin layer of usual litter. Collect the stool from the film rather than from the litter.
Cats with covered or self-cleaning litter boxes
If your cat uses a hooded or automatic litter box, empty it completely and disable the automatic function for the duration of the collection. Use a temporary open box with clean litter to facilitate access to a fresh sample.
Immediate steps after collecting the sample
Handling and transport are just as important as the collection itself.
Seal and label
Make sure the container is airtight. Write your pet's name, collection date, and time on the label. This information is essential for the laboratory.
Immediate hygiene
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap for at least 20 seconds. Disinfect any surface (table, counter) that may have been in contact with the sample.
Refrigerate promptly
Place the sealed container in the refrigerator (between 2°C and 8°C) immediately if you cannot bring it to the clinic within the hour. Never freeze a fecal sample.
Never freeze the sample
Freezing destroys the parasites and eggs present in the stool, making the analysis unusable. Always store the sample in the refrigerator, never in the freezer.
How long can a fecal sample be kept?
Analysis quality depends directly on sample freshness. Follow these timelines for reliable results.
Ideal
Maximum quality. Bring to the clinic as soon as possible after collection.
Acceptable
Refrigerate. The majority of parasites remain detectable.
Borderline
Less reliable results. Some parasites begin to degrade. Inform the clinic.
Not viable
Discard and repeat the procedure. A reliable result is no longer possible.
When the clinic is closed
If you collect the sample outside clinic hours, keep it refrigerated and bring it first thing the next morning. Let us know by phone or message about the storage delay so our technician is informed.
Do you have more than one dog or cat at home?
Collecting in a multi-pet household requires a few extra precautions to avoid identification errors.
One container per pet
Never mix stool from two animals in the same container, even if only one test was requested. Each analysis must correspond to a specific animal.
Clear labeling
Label each container with the animal's name, date, and time of collection. If in doubt, add a physical description (e.g., 'Mittens, tabby cat').
Same day if possible
Ideally, collect samples from all your pets on the same day to simplify transport and ensure the freshness of each sample.
Cats in shared litter
If multiple cats share the same litter box, isolate the relevant cat in a separate room with a clean box to ensure you collect the right stool.
Your questions, our answers
The most common situations encountered when collecting a fecal sample.
My pet doesn't feel like going: what should I do?
My pet's stool is very soft or liquid: can it still be used?
Can I use stool that has been sitting in the litter box for several hours?
My vet asked for 3 consecutive-day collections: why?
How much stool is needed exactly?
My pet defecated but I forgot to prepare the container: what should I do?
The information in this guide is for educational purposes and does not replace a veterinary consultation. For any health concern or questions about the procedure, contact our clinic directly.
Questions about the collection?
Our team is available to guide you or provide a suitable collection container.