While not a pleasant activity, taking a stool sample is necessary for many veterinary procedures. Both routine check-ups and tests for serious illnesses require a portion of feces for accurate information. And even if the acquiring the sample will never be enjoyable, the process can be relatively simple by following a few key guidelines.
Make sure the sample is from the same day on which you will deliver it to the vet. They require fresh material, so it helps to clean out the litter box the day before, so all the feces are fresh.
Do not worry about bits of litter being caught in the sample. The office will be able to filter the stool from the litter, so long as the size of the stool is sufficient ( about the size of a walnut minimum recommended ).
If the stool sample is being given pre-emptively, contain a sample of any abnormal material. For example, blood, mucus, or worms; if there's an obvious problem, the vet needs to know exactly what it is.
If getting a sample from a cat in a household with multiple other felines, isolate the patient. Keep the cat in a separate room with its own litter box during the duration needed to acquire a sample. It might not be enjoyable for the cat, but it will be necessary.
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About the author:
A freelance writer/cartoonist living in LA, with my fiance' and our wonderful cat. You can see my work at www.rubysworldcomic.com and rubynation.smackjeeves.com
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