
PetChek IP
PetChek IP replaced by the new Fecal Dx Antigen Profile plus Giardia
You can still send in PetChek-kits for analysis, but no new sample containers can be ordered. Learn more about the Fecal Dx Antigen Profile plus Giardia below.
Fecal Dx Antigen Profile plus Giardia
Detect more hookworm, roundworm, whipworm and giardia infections, even when eggs aren't present
The prevalence of some gastrointestinal parasites remains high despite regular deworming protocols. Testing for intestinal parasites identifies positive animals, improves pet owner compliance and helps to choose the right treatment protocol for the individual patient.
Benefits of the Antigen technology:
- Highly-sensitive ELISA technology
- Detects adult worms and is therefore independent from egg shedding
- Earlier detection of prepatent stages reduces environmental contamination
- Multiple-day sampling is not required, increasing the pet-owner compliance
How to order the new Profile:
- The Profile can be ordered using the new Microbiology submission form. If you are using an older version, please write code FECG on the form.
- Sample material: 4 – 6 g faeces
- TAT: 2 – 3 working days after the sample arrived at the lab
Regular intestinal parasite testing
The Fecal Dx Antigen Profile plus Giardia is designed to test healthy dogs and cats for intestinal parasites on a regular basis during wellness visits. For sick animals with diarrhoea or other gastrointestinal signs, we recommend the usage of our Diarrhoea Profiles, that can be combined with the Fecal Dx Antigen Profile Add-on.
Test for four intestinal parasites
Fecal Dx® Antigen Profile plus Giardia tests for Roundworm, Hookworm, Whipworm, and Giardia.
Roundworm
Roundworms can cause serious disease in young animals including weight loss, failure to thrive and distention of the abdomen. In adult pets, infected animals are often without clinical signs, but they still continue to excrete eggs, putting other animals at risk.
Hookworm
Hookworms attach themselves to the intestinal wall and suck blood with their ‘hook-like’ mouthparts, causing anaemia (blood loss) especially in younger pets. Other complications can include diarrhoea, malnutrition and respiratory disease.
Whipworm
Whipworm adults use their slender head to penetrate and anchor themselves to the intestinal wall. Infections can be without signs of disease, but severe infections can cause colitis with signs of diarrhoea and blood.
Giardia
Giardia attaches and causes injury to the small intestinal wall, which reduces the intestines’ ability to absorb fluid and nutrients. The infection can have no clinical signs or cause diarrhoea.
Intestinal parasite videos, publications, and literature
Watch Stan Marks (BVSc, PhD, Professor Medicine & Epidemiology at UC Davis) answering 5 questions on intestinal parasites.
Why is wellness testing in healthy animals important?
What are the benefits of the existing and the new test methods?
Is it necessary to treat healthy animals? What about Giardia?
What does a negative PetChek IP result mean and how to handle it.
What might be the reasons for discordant results?