A curious kitten exploring under a wooden chair, emphasizing the importance of fecal testing for pets

How to Use Fecal Testing for Pets at Home Effectively

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When your pet experiences diarrhea, it can be a sign of underlying health issues that require prompt attention. Fecal testing is an essential diagnostic tool to identify the cause of dog diarrhea or cat diarrhea and ensure proper treatment. Kedi Labs offers a variety of fecal testing options, including traditional microscopy and advanced fecal PCR testing. In this blog post, we’ll review these options, provide guidance on when to use each test, and help you make the best choice for your pet’s health.
 Test Name Price What it tests for When to use
Basic Fecal Parasite Screen $40 Common intestinal parasite eggs (hookworms, roundworms, whipworms) via microscopy Routine wellness screening, pre-medication testing, post-treatment confirmation
Basic Fecal Parasite + Giardia ELISA $50 Common parasite eggs plus specific test for Giardia When Giardia is suspected, for pets with exposure to potentially contaminated water, routine screening in high-risk areas
Parasite+ Detect PCR Panel $75 More comprehensive parasite detection using advanced PCR technology For pets showing mild GI symptoms, after travel/boarding, pets with recurrent issues. Best Screen for cats because it detects toxplasmosis and tritrichomosis. 
Diarrhea PCR Test $160 Comprehensive testing for bacterial, viral, and parasitic causes of diarrhea using PCR When pets have persistent diarrhea, blood in stool, weight loss, or multiple symptoms


Basic Fecal Parasite Screen $40

The Basic Fecal Parasite Screen is a traditional microscopy test designed to detect common intestinal parasites such as hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms. This test analyzes your pet’s stool sample under a microscope to identify parasite eggs.

Tests for:

  • Roundworms
  • Hookworms
  • Whipworms
  • Coccidia
  • +/- Giardia

Best For:

  • Routine annual wellness screenings for healthy pets

  • Pre-medication testing before starting certain treatments

  • Post-treatment confirmation after deworming

This test is ideal for budget-conscious pet owners seeking essential parasite screening without additional complexity. Results are typically available within 24 hours of the lab receiving your sample.

Basic Fecal Parasite Screen & Giardia ELISA

The Basic Fecal Parasite + Giardia ELISA combines microscopy with an ELISA test specifically designed to detect Giardia—a common protozoan parasite often missed during traditional fecal exams.

Tests for:

  • Roundworms
  • Hookworms
  • Whipworms
  • Coccidia
  • Giardia

Best For:

  • Pets that drink from outdoor water sources (lakes, streams)

  • Households with previous Giardia infections

  • Routine screening in high-risk areas or for pets with intermittent soft stools

This test is recommended when Giardia is suspected or when your pet has been exposed to potentially contaminated water sources. Results are available within 24 hours.

Parasite Detect+ PCR Panel ($75)

The Parasite+ Detect PCR Panel uses advanced molecular diagnostics (PCR technology) to detect parasite DNA in stool samples. This method is more sensitive than traditional microscopy and can identify parasites even when they are not actively shedding eggs or cysts.

Tests for:

  • Roundworms
  • Hookworms
  • Whipworms
  • Coccidia
  • Giardia
  • Tapeworms
  • Cryptosporidium
  • Toxoplasma (cat only)
  • Tritrichomonas (cat only)
  • Neospora (dog only)

Best For:

  • Pets showing mild gastrointestinal symptoms (gas, soft stool)

  • After travel or boarding where exposure risk is higher

  • Pets with recurrent digestive issues or chronic infections

PCR testing provides greater accuracy and sensitivity compared to microscopy alone and delivers results within 48–72 hours.

Diarrhea PCR Panel

The Diarrhea PCR Test is Kedi Labs’ most comprehensive diagnostic tool for pets with persistent diarrhea. This test identifies bacterial, viral, and parasitic causes of diarrhea using cutting-edge PCR technology. Separate versions are available for dogs and cats.

Tests for:

  • Giardia
  • Cryptosporidium
  • Toxoplasma (cat only)
  • Tritrichomonas (cat only)
  • Campylobacter
  • Clostridium
  • Salmonella
  • Parvovirus
  • Cornoavirus (Enteric - Dogs only)

Best for:

  • Persistent diarrhea lasting more than 2–3 days

  • Severe symptoms such as blood in stool or weight loss

  • Pets with multiple symptoms like vomiting and lethargy

  • Cases where dietary changes haven’t resolved diarrhea

This test delivers detailed results within 48–72 hours and includes free veterinary consultations to discuss findings. It’s ideal for diagnosing complex cases where multiple pathogens may be involved.

Why choose fecal parasite testing?

Fecal PCR testing represents the gold standard in veterinary diagnostics due to its superior sensitivity and specificity. Unlike traditional methods that rely on visible evidence of parasites (e.g., eggs), PCR detects pathogen DNA directly—even in small quantities—making it highly accurate and reliable. According to a study published in JAVMA, fecal qPCR has proven effective in detecting rare parasites like Echinococcus multilocularis1.

When should you test your pet?

Fecal testing should be performed annually as part of routine wellness care2. However, you should consider testing sooner if your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms:

  • Persistent diarrhea lasting more than two days

  • Blood in stool or black tarry stools

  • Vomiting alongside diarrhea

  • Weight loss or lethargy

  • Recent travel or boarding exposure risks

  • Recurrent episodes of digestive upset

Early detection through fecal testing allows veterinarians to diagnose and treat issues promptly, improving outcomes for your pet’s health.

How Kedi Labs makes testing easy

Kedi Labs offers convenient at-home collection kits that include:

  • Free FedEx Priority Overnight shipping to the lab

  • Simple instructions for collecting fresh samples at home

  • Complimentary veterinary consultations with results

  • Quick turnaround times (24–72 hours depending on test type)

These kits ensure accurate results while reducing stress for both pets and owners by eliminating the need for clinic visits.

Choosing the right test for your pet

Selecting the right fecal test depends on your pet’s symptoms and risk factors:

  1. For routine annual screenings: Basic Fecal Parasite Screen ($40)

  2. For suspected Giardia infections: Basic Fecal Parasite + Giardia ELISA ($50)

  3. For mild GI symptoms or recurrent issues: Parasite+ Detect PCR Panel (75)

  4. For persistent or severe diarrhea: Diarrhea PCR Test ($160)

By choosing the appropriate test option and consulting with your veterinarian about results, you can ensure your pet receives the best possible care.

References:

  1. "Fecal PCR Detection of Echinococcus Multilocularis in Dogs," JAVMA, July 2024. Read Study.

  2. "The Importance of Regular Fecal Exams," Springhouse Animal Hospital Blog, May 2024. Learn More.


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