NetNews Usenet Archive 1992 #27/NN_1992_27.iso/spool/rec/pets/cats/14060

Internet Message Format | 1992-11-23 | 1.9 KB

Path: sparky!uunet!olivea!spool.mu.edu!agate!linus!alliant!merk!harvee.billerica.ma.us!scm
From: [e-mail] (S. Mudgett aka little gator)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats
Subject: Re: Confused about worms...
Message-ID: <H.ea.aqg1UaaT&[e-mail]>
Date: 22 Nov 92 14:57:08 GMT
References: <[e-mail]>
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Reply-To: [e-mail]
Organization: gators 'r us
Lines: 21
X-Software: HERMES GUS 1.04 Rev. Sep  5 1992

In <[e-mail]>, Rich Young writes:
>
>    Tapeworms shed segments regularly which can look like pieces of rice
>    which stick the the anal area.  But they don't ALWAYS shed segments,
>    and I understand that the most reliable way to detect them is by
>    dilution of stool material in water and subsequent examination for
>    eggs in the resulting watery mixture.  Corrections welcomed.
tapeworms don't always shed segments, and they seldom shed eggs, which is why a
vet's fecal exam doesn't always detect them.  the method you refer to is called
the "flotation" method.  the stool is diluted, not in water, but in a special
solution which makes the mixture heavier than worm eggs.  a cover slip is put on
top, so any eggs that float to the top will stick to the cover slip.  after it
sits for a while, the cover slip is put on a slide and examined.  this works
for detecting eggs, but *only* if the eggs are present to begin with. tapeworms
and canine whipworms don't always shed eggs.  roundworms and hookworms
usually do.  coccidia is not a worm, but a one-celled parasite which also can
show up in a fecal exam, since it floats to the top of the fecal flotation
medium.
--
-- little gator aka s. mudgett     email: [e-mail]
-- friend of a gator is a friend of mine