How it all started

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I started parasitology testing over 20 years ago when I used to visit a local veterinary practice to see exotic animal practice. This was before and during attending vet school. The veterinary surgeon (also my mentor) would always have the microscope switched on and connected to a large screen where he could show clients parasites during a consultation. I remember seeing many different types of parasites, especially in reptile and avian samples. 

Years later I worked in a referral exotic animal hospital in Yorkshire which is where I realised there was an issue with parasite identification and significance, but also that many reptiles were likely being overtreated for some of these parasites. Since then I have been fascinated by these creatures that are capable of living in the intestinal tract of the host and not cause disease at all, or sometimes will end with the host perishing due to their presence.

Working in clinical practice of dogs, cats and exotic animals we tend to see all sorts of parasites, week in and week out; parasites like Giardia in young or middle aged dogs with intermittent loose stools or diarrhoea, coccidia and roundworms in puppies with yellow mucoid diarrhoea, coccidia in reptiles like Bearded Dragons, lungworms in large boas or pythons. Some of these parasites pose a zoonotic risk (can potentially be passed on to people), like in the case of Giardia or some roundworms (Ascarids). Therefore, there is not only the risk to the health of these animals but also to public health, especially the very young, old or immune-comprimised individuals.

As a veterinary surgeon I have a responsibility to look out for animal welfare, identifying risks and flagging up potential public health threats.

Most of these parasites can be treated, prevented and/or controlled. Depending on the animal group in question, this may mean treating regularly, as in the case of dogs or cats with routine dewormers, but also testing on a regular basis, especially in the case of exotic animals. Treating and/or testing will depend on the risk and danger to pets or public health.

As a vet working in practice seeing many hundreds of dogs and cats every month, many of them with loose stools or diarrhoea, and multiple times a week receiving laboratory results positive to this or that parasite, I kept asking myself the question over and over, why aren't we routinely parasite faecal testing?

I would see many cases every week where the owners (often very good owners with very good intentions) would say: "Oh he has always had a sensitive tummy!" or "We tried him on all different types of food" or "we think he is allergic to wheat as his stools are slightly better on this diet". The interesting thing is that many of these dogs that end up being parasitology tested come back positive for parasites like coccidia or Giardia. A note should be added that these protozoan parasites don't always cause disease, as proven in dogs and also in humans. A potential zoonotic risk may also be present, as in the case of Giardia.

So after many years I came to my own conclusions but the two councils that are there to be listened to and advise on treatment and prevention protocols are The Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC) and The European Scientific Counsel of Companion Animal Parasites (ESCCAP). Both advise on how to reduce the risks that may arise with these parasitic infections looking out for animal and public health. They recommend parasite control programs including treatment and testing. In the case of dogs advise is to test up to four times in the first year of life and then twice a year after that.

So, why isn't testing performed routinely in the UK? My own conclusions are society, costs and logistics. And this is where I hope that we can be there to make it easier and to make a difference, looking out for pets and public health.

Parasites may affect many of our pets body systems, typically and more frequently, the digestive and cardiorespiratory systems. We offer parasite testing of those parasites that can be detected in the faeces, either through direct observation of parasitic forms, or through antigen-antibody testing.

Please get in touch with us with any queries regarding any of your pets and visit our website and social media pages form more information!

Here's to the new project!