We offer in-house urinalysis, as well as fecal examinations. Your veterinarian will recommend a urinalysis to aid in diagnosing several conditions such as urinary tract infections, bladder stones, renal function, toxicities and glucose in the urine due to diabetes. Fecals are also recommended to detect parasitic infections as well as viral or bacterial infections and to look for signs of gastrointestinal bleeding.
How often should my dog have a fecal exam?
Fecal exams are typically recommended to be done annually. However, this can also depend on your dog’s lifestyle and overall health. We will generally recommend a fecal if your dog has diarrhea, bloody stool, is losing weight, scooting or you suspect a parasitic infection. For conditions such as giardia and coccidia infections, repeat fecals are sometimes recommended to determine if treatment was successful.
What happens if my dog’s urinalysis reveals a urinary tract infection?
If your dog has been diagnosed with a urinary tract infection, your veterinarian may recommend further testing to determine the best choice of antibiotic. A simple urinary tract infection will likely respond to a broad-spectrum antibiotic, whereas a complicated urinary tract infection (due to bladder stones or tumours) will not resolve after a single treatment and will most likely require further diagnostics.
