One of the more common tests that we run is the Thyroxine (T4) screening test.  This test is a generalized screening for both hypothyroidism (in dogs and horses) and hyperthyroidism (in cats).  Oftentimes, the T4 testing is paired with a complete blood cell test and the biochemical profile.  These three tests are often considered a baseline screening, especially in senior pets.  

A low value on the T4 test usually confirms hypothyroidism.  Occasionally we see a low value in debilitated animals.  In this case, the low value may be a condition called Euthyroid Sick Syndrome. This is a condition in which the Thyroxine (T4) levels are low due to the other disease process that is ongoing within the pet.  Animals with low thyroid levels can be easily supplemented and typical respond favorably to treatment.

A high value is a confirmation of hyperthyroidism.  This condition is common in cats.  Cats can be treated with medication to counteract the elevated thyroxine levels.  There are several methods to treat and each can be discussed with you, should you cat develop overactive thyroid disease.

This is a test that is most often performed in farm animals.  The purpose is to measure the worm burden prior to administering a deworming agent and then again following the deworming agent.  This allows the tester to monitor the efficacy of the deworming agent that was used.  We are also able to identify those animals (usually 10%) that are the high shedders within a herd.  Most farm animals will carry a worm burden all of the time due to the presence of worms in their environment, but some carry a larger burden than others.  Pastured animals often pick up immature parasite forms from the pasture itself. 

A Fecal Egg Reduction test is actually a series of two tests, performed about 6 weeks apart.  A fecal sample is obtained.  That sample is tested using a three stage process.  First 5 grams of the fecal sample is placed into a special test solution and "mixed up."  After being mixed, the sample and solution are strained.  The strained sample is then placed in a centrifuge for 10 minutes, where it is spun at a high rate.  Once the spinning is concluded, a cover slip is place on top of the sample.  This allows the eggs to float to the top of the solution and "stick" to the cover slip.  After 10 minutes, the sample is viewed through a microscope and an egg count is performed.

At VWP, we are passionate about the care of our animals.  Routine care is vital to the health of each and every patient and animal that is entrusted to our care.  One part of the routine animal care is the annual fecal, or Intestinal Parasite Test.  Many feel that this is an optional test, but it is very important for many reasons, as you will see within this article.

An Intestinal Parasite Test (IPT) is a vital part of the routine care of a dog, cat, horse, goat, sheep or any other animal.  In some animals, it is highly recommended to perform serial testing (testing several times over the course of time) of fecal samples.  We often called this paired testing a fecal egg reduction test.

Why is it important?

To begin, parasites often cause clinical diseases.  These range from general ill-thrift to more debilitating diseases.  Ill-thrift may simply show up as an animal that is growing slowly, is lethargic, or simply one that fails to perform well.  Some animals, particularly the younger ones, can carry a large enough parasite load to cause death.  Many puppies and kittens suffer from the pot-bellied appearance that is caused by this large worm load.  Testing is also important considering the fact that some parasites carry a zoonotic risk (They can be contagious to humans).

Can I just Deworm my animal?

While deworming products are readily available, they are limited in their abilities to treat parasites.  There are really only three classes of dewormers available and worms can get resistant to each class over time.  For this reason, it is important to identify the specific worms that are present in order to treat them effectively.

What is an Intestinal Parasite Test?

The IPT is a test that we perform on a fecal/ stool sample using a microscope to look for the eggs of each different type of worm.  This test involves several steps in order to be performed appropriately.  The first step is placing the fecal sample into a special solution.  This is often a specialized sugar solution that makes the worm eggs easy to detect once the test is completed.  The solution is strained to eliminate larger particles and pieces of debris.  Once strained, the solution is placed into a centrifuge and spun at a high speed for about 10 minutes.  This helps to separate the eggs from the actual fecal matter (poop).  Once the spinning is complete, a cover slip, which is a small piece of glass, is placed on the solution.  The parasite eggs float to the top and “stick” to the cover slip.  The cover slip is placed onto a slide and then looked at under the microscope.

What Worms do you Detect?

An IPT is a great test to detect several parasites, or worms.  For dogs and cats these include Roundworms, Hookworms, Whipworms, Tapeworms (though it is not as reliable for tapeworms), and coccidia.  In horses, we test for small strongyles (roundworms), large strongyles, bots, pinworms, coccidia and bloodworms.  In ruminants (Cattle, Sheep and goats), the IPT detects mainly strongyles and coccidia.

Why Perform a Fecal Egg Reduction Test?

This is a test that is most often performed in farm animals.  The purpose is to measure the worm burden prior to administering a deworming agent and then again following the deworming agent.  This allows the tester to monitor the efficacy of the deworming agent that was used.  Most farm animals will carry a worm burden all of the time due to the presence of worms in their environment.  Pastured animals often pick up immature parasite forms from the pasture itself.  This test is performed as described above, with typically a 6 week gap in between testing.

We believe that yearly testing for internal parasite is very important in our area of Orrville, Wooster, Rittman, Creston and the surrounding regions of eastern Wayne and  western Stark counties.  By testing and treating for these worms, we can reduce the build up of parasite eggs and larva within the environment.  This is very important when we consider common areas such as the Orrville Dog Park and the Sippo Valley Trail.  Please contact us if you have any questions regarding the importance of the IPT or about routine parasite prevention.  

FeLV (Feline Leukemia Virus) and FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus) testing is a critical aspect of feline healthcare, providing essential information about a cat's health status regarding these two serious viral infections. Both viruses affect cats' immune systems, making them more susceptible to other infections and diseases, but they are distinct in their transmission methods and effects on the cat's body.

Purpose of Testing: FeLV/FIV testing is primarily conducted to screen for the presence of these viruses in cats. FeLV is known for causing a variety of health issues, including anemia, lymphoma, and immunosuppression. FIV, often compared to HIV in humans, leads to a weakened immune system by attacking the cat's white blood cells.

Testing Methods:

ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): This is the most common initial screening tool for both FeLV and FIV. It can be performed in a veterinary clinic and provides rapid results. The test detects FeLV antigen and FIV antibodies in the blood.

IFA (Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test): Often used to confirm positive ELISA results for FeLV, it detects the presence of the virus in white blood cells, indicating a more advanced stage of infection.

Western Blot: This is typically used to confirm an FIV-positive result from an ELISA test. It's considered the gold standard for FIV diagnosis.