FAQs
General Questions
-
Where is my pet's sample?
TRACK YOUR SAMPLE
1) Postal service: Samples can be delayed or lost which is why we have recommended you send samples using Royal Mail Tracked.
Track sample through Royal Mail
2) Laboratory:
Order status explained:
"Shipped": we are awaiting sample.
"Awaiting processing": we are awaiting sample (if own postage option used).
"Processing": working on the sample or report.
"Delivered": email sent with report (check spam).
You can see reports by logging in also.
Log-In to ParasiteVet
DELAYED OR LOST SAMPLES
If days have turned in to weeks, it is best that another sample is collected.
Options:
A) Labels: send a sample with your own packaging and sample pot. The same labels can be used for the "own postage" option. If you require labels to be sent via email, contact us on the pop-up below.
B) Order Collection Pack:
Printed barcoded labels are included. You will be asked to add your original order number.
-
What are the timescales?
The whole process can be turned around within a week. Please see our Google reviews that reflect this.
Once an order is placed:
1) Pack will be sent out the following working day via 1st Class Royal Mail, unless "own postage" option chosen. Usually 2-3 days.
Royal Mail has been impacted by the pandemic and we have seen delays in recent months.
Please allow for this to arrive within 7 working days before contacting us.
If you have not received your pack please let us know here.
2) Send the sample to us via a tracked service (Royal mail Tracked 24 or 48). 1-2 days.
3) Sample tested upon receipt. Status goes in to "processing" within 24h.
4) Report issued by vet putting all results, history and species specifics in to context usually within 1 working day (allow up to 7 days). Usually 1-2 days.
An email will be sent to the registered email address. Check your spam!
Log-In to see orders and reports here.
-
Order sample collection pack
-
Do you supply medication?
We were offering video consultations in cases where owners are unable to get to their vets in person during the pandemic. This ended in March 2022 under RCVS rules.
If treatment may be advised then please contact your registered veterinary surgeon or alternatively book a consult with us:
Prescription medications or those that are considered prescription (i.e. reptiles prescribed a medication licensed for another animal, for example), can be dispensed or prescribed by a vet as long as a consultation takes place.
-
Sample Collection
Faecal Samples:
We provide a small spatula with a small pot.
The small pot keeps the cost of postage down for you.
Do not fill more than 75% or 3/4 of the pot.
Reptile or bird samples may contain a chalky white or grey substance that is often passed with faeces. These are the urates and may interfere with the testing process.
-
Sample Storage
If the sample is fresh then there is no need to store in the fridge as this would reduce motility of specific parasites - a cool room is fine.
It is important to send a fresh moist sample. A few drops of cooled boiled water can be added to maintain humidity.
Dry samples will disrupt parasitic forms and increase false negatives. Urates will also reduce sensitivity of testing so make sure to reduce these and that faeces are sent.
-
Can I collect a sample from water?
The answer is yes. In many cases this may be the only option i.e. amphibians or semiaquatic reptiles.
Simply remove as much water as possible using a sieve so that water is not moving around freely in the pot.
-
What is a pooled sample?
A pooled sample is simple – please collect a small amount of faeces each day for 3 days into the same sample pot (only 1 collection per day is needed).
That’s it! We only need a small amount of faeces to test. We can also test a single sample if preferred.
Intermittent shedding may occur with certain parasites (rare) so this increases the likelihood of detection and therefore reducing the possibility of false negative results.
-
What is the smallest sample I can send?
We test small animals that weigh just a few grams so the smallest of samples can be tested for all parasites.
In small reptile samples we may not be able to report numbers in the case of pinworms egg levels. To perform this we would need a minimum of 0.5g for the counting technique. These would still be reported by as subjective low-moderate-high.
-
What do my results mean?
Every report has a colour code with a specific flowchart on what to do next.
The presence of some parasites may be dangerous and may require treatment, wheras other parasite eggs or cysts may cause a problem in high levels.
Some parasite eggs are reported as present, others in subjective high or low numbers, or in eggs per gram (EPG).
If there is a known reference range for the parasite in question in the species then an eggs per gram range shall be reported.
-
Why test with us?
We are all veterinary qualified staff with a special interest in parasitology. Read about us here.
A unique and specific veterinary report is issued for each sample submitted. This puts results in to context taking in to account:
- Parasite group or species detected
- Host specifics (species, age, etc)
- Clinical significance
- Risk to other animals or people
Advice and treatments may be advised or prescribed following a veterinary video consultation as an alternative if you are unable to visit your local vets during the pandemic - Read more
-
How are results sent?
Once the sample has been received and tested we email results with a link to a PDF file within the given timeframe.
You can also log in to the site to view your orders and reports here.
-
What do you test for?
All parasite tests will look for the following:
Nematodes (roundworms), cestodes (tapeworms or flatworms), Trematodes (flukes), Protozoa (including coccidia, Giardia and Cryptosporidium).
The sensitivity of Cryptosporidium and Giardia is increased with extra testing.
Specific bacteria screening is also included in some tests.
-
What type of payment methods do you accept?
Paypal and Square are the platforms that we use on the site. You do not need an account to pay for products.
-
Can I test a group of animals, for example a group of reptiles kept together or birds in an aviary?
Group or flock monitoring is good practice for animal and public health.
Where possible test each individual animal.
A group of Leopard tortoises or Leopard geckos housed together for a long time for example is the ideal "group testing".
If parasites are detected that require treatment, we would not know the levels carried by each individual and therefore testing the individuals may be necessary if treatment is required.
If multiple species are housed together or the same species have been together for a short period then there is a higher risk of false negative results.
Exotics Questions
-
Why test with us?
A unique and specific veterinary report is issued for each sample submitted.
Our exotics vet is a double certificate holder in exotics medicine and surgery, and Royal College of Veterinary surgeons Advanced Practitioner in Zoological Medicine, with over a decade of advanced experience in first opinion and referral level.
-
What Reptile parasites do you test for?
All reptile tests check for:
- Roundworms (Nematodes), including Pinworms
- Tapeworms (Cestodes)
- Protozoa, flagellates, cillates, coccidia, amoeba and others.
- Trematodes
- Pentastomes
- Cryptosporidium
Gold Level includes antigen-antibody test and specific staining for Cryptosporidium.
Platinum Level includes all previous and also Campylobacter and Salmonella.
-
Which Reptile Parasite Test should I order?
There are three levels of reptile parasite testing: Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Silver level
1) Parasites.
Gold level
1) Parasites.
2) Cryptosporidium staining + antigen test.
Platinum Level - Highest Sensitivity
1) Parasites.
2) Cryptosporidium staining + antigen test.
3) Bacteria: Salmonella, Campylobacter.
-
Can I test a group of reptiles kept together?
Where possible test each individual animal.
A group of Leopard tortoises or Leopard geckos housed together for a long time for example is the ideal "group testing". Group or flock monitoring is good practice for animal and public health.
If parasites are detected that require treatment, we would not know the levels carried by each individual and therefore testing the individuals may be necessary.
-
Why shouldn't I just treat with preventative treatment in my reptile as I do in my dog?
WE DO NOT ADVISE TREATING WITHOUT TESTING.
It may be easy to order products and treat reptiles for potential parasite infestations, either to save money or simply because we routinely do it with our cats and dogs, BUT this is not recommended.
Why?
1) Parasitic resistance
2) Adverse or toxic effects
3) Zoonotic risk different to dogs
Studies show that some anti-parasitics can cause adverse effects, including death.
It is strongly recommended that a vet establishes the risk/benefit ratio before medicating.
Dog and Cat Questions
-
Why not just treat with preventative treatment in my dog or cat?
The European Scientific Counsel of Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP):
Advises faecal examinations four times during the first year and twice a year in adults, plus a regular treatment protocol.
This is for the safety of our pets and also public health.
-
What do I do if I have multiple dogs in the same household?
Where possible, test individually.
They can be tested as a group. You would need to collect a small representative sample form each animal and mix in the faecal pot.
-
How do I collect a urine sample?
Dogs
• Sample ideally should be the first urination of the day (in the morning first thing).
• To collect the sample – use a container such as a plastic takeaway tub or other shallow lipped dish/bowl (dispose of this container after use), wait for your pet to urinate and carefully place or hold the container under or beside your pet to catch the sample mid-flow.
• This should then be pipetted into a urine sample tube – both are provided when a pack is ordered.
• Package the sample with either the absorbent pad provided or with a small amount of cotton wool to absorb any leakage during transit.
• Urine samples should be posted the same day whenever possible, if you cannot post the same day the sample must be stored in the fridge for posting the next day – if the sample is left for longer than 2 days without posting it must be disposed of and a new sample collected.
Cats
• Obtaining a urine sample from your cat can be challenging, it may not be possible to collect the first urination of the day.
• First obtain a clean litter tray (there must not be any litter residue, you may need to purchase a cheap tray for this purpose)
• To collect the sample – place a layer Katkor plastic litter in the tray (this is provided when a pack is ordered, or you can order this from Amazon), ensure the cat you wish to obtain a sample from is the only cat with access to this tray – you may need to place other cats in a separate room to prevent contamination. Leave the cat in the room with the tray and check regularly.
• As soon as your cat has urinated in the tray, pipette the sample into the urine sample tube – both are provided when a pack is ordered.
• Package the sample with either the absorbent pad provided or with a small amount of cotton wool to absorb any leakage during transit.
• Urine samples should be posted the same day whenever possible, if you cannot post the same day the sample must be stored in the fridge for posting the next day – if the sample is left for longer than 2 days without posting it must be disposed of and a new sample collected.
