Learn how to proceed if you want to send us faecal samples for examination. There are species-specific differences to consider. Not every examination makes sense for every animal. Therefore, we have adapted our explanations to the different animal species.
Procedure
- Submission by private individuals is possible at any time.
- Fill out and sign the corresponding examination application form. Please make sure that your address is clearly legible and complete.
- Please send the samples so that they reach the laboratory by post on Friday at the latest. You will find the application form on the right, sorted by animal species.
- Please have your veterinarian take a skin scraping.
Submission Guide
- Fill out and sign the corresponding examination application form. Please make sure that the address is clearly legible and complete. Please send the samples so that they reach the laboratory by post on Friday at the latest. You will find the application form below, sorted by animal species.
- The processing time depends on the number of samples and is approx. 1 week after receipt of the sample.
- We kindly ask you to refrain from telephone enquiries about the processing status. The samples will be processed as quickly as possible in the order in which they are received. If you provide a clearly legible e-mail address, you will be notified of the results in advance by e-mail.
Interpretation of results
We use the following "scoring key" for our findings according to the frequency of the parasite stages found:
- negative
- few
- moderate amounts
- numerous
- masses
However, one should not readily conclude from the quantity of eggs or oocysts found that there is an actual parasite infestation. In particular, the number of worm eggs excreted/detected often does not correlate with the actual worm burden present in the animal. For example, a very heavy worm infestation may be present, but since it is a fresh infection, most worms are not yet sexually mature and produce few or no eggs. In some worm species, egg production is intermittent, which can also lead to misinterpretation. With a large worm population, a "crowding effect" can occur, i.e. the fertility of the worms decreases, but the harmful effect of the many worms remains.
Coproscopic examinations
When sending in faecal samples from dog/cat/pet, please note the following:
- Collect a partial quantity on each of 3 days.
- The total amount of faeces required is
- Dog, cat, rabbit: 10 g
- Small rodents: 3 g
- Please do not use glass containers for shipment, but tightly closing break- and leak-proof plastic containers or freezer bags (well sealed). Please label the containers or bags with the name of the animal.
- Veterinarians are legally obliged to send samples in double-walled containers and to label the samples as diagnostic material! We also ask private individuals to double-wrap the samples to ensure safe transport.
Please use the following application form for the parasitological examination:
When sending in faecal samples from the hedgehog, please note the following:
- Collect a partial quantity on each of 3 days.
- The total amount of faeces required is 10 g.
- Please do not use glass containers, but tightly sealed, break-proof and leak-proof plastic containers or freezer bags (well sealed). Please label the containers or bags with the name of the animal.
- Veterinarians are legally obliged to send samples in double-walled containers and to label the samples as diagnostic material! We also ask private individuals to double-wrap the samples to ensure safe transport.
Please use the following application form for the parasitological examination:
If you plan to send in more than 15 samples, please make an appointment with the laboratory by calling 0341 - 9738086.
When sending in faecal samples from the horse/donkey, please note the following:
- Collect a partial quantity on each of 3 days.
- The total amount of faeces required is 50 g.
- Please use a transparent background (foil, microscope slides, etc.) for specimens to detect oxyuria; under no circumstances should they be glued to paper.
- Do not use glass containers for shipping, but tightly sealed, break- and leak-proof plastic containers or freezer bags (well sealed). Please label the containers or bags with the name of the animal.
- Veterinarians are legally obliged to send samples in double-walled containers and to label the samples as diagnostic material! We also ask private individuals to double-wrap the samples to ensure safe transport.
- The combined sedimentation procedure followed by the flotation procedure and the McMaster procedure work on the same principle. It is therefore not usually necessary to carry out both procedures.
- With the first procedure you will receive a lump sum estimate of the egg count, with the McMaster procedure you will receive the egg count/g faeces.
Please use the following application form for the parasitological examination:
When sending in faecal samples from pigs, the following must be observed:
- Collect a partial quantity on each of 3 days.
- The total amount of faeces required is 20 g.
- Please do not use glass containers for sending, but tightly sealed, break- and leak-proof plastic containers or freezer bags (well sealed). Please label the containers or bags with the name of the animal.
- Veterinarians are legally obliged to send samples in double-walled containers and to label the samples as diagnostic material! We also ask private individuals to double-wrap the samples to ensure safe transport.
Please use the following application for the parasitological examination:
When sending in faecal samples from the bird, please note the following:
- Collect a partial amount on each of 3 days.
- The total amount of faeces required is 3 g.
- Please do not use glass containers, but tightly sealed, break- and leak-proof plastic containers or freezer bags (well sealed). Please label the containers or bags with the name of the animal.
- Veterinarians are legally obliged to send samples in double-walled containers and to label the samples as diagnostic material! We also ask private individuals to double-wrap the samples to ensure safe transport.
Please use the following application form for the parasitological examination:
If you plan to send in more than 15 samples, please make an appointment with the laboratory by calling 0341 - 9738086.
When sending in faecal samples from ruminants, the following must be observed:
- Collect a partial quantity on each of 3 days.
- The total amount of faeces required is
- 50 g for cattle
- 20 g for small ruminants.
- Please do not use glass containers for dispatch, but tightly sealed, break-proof and leak-proof plastic containers or freezer bags (well sealed). Please label the containers or bags with the name of the animal.
- Veterinarians are legally obliged to send samples in double-walled containers and to label the samples as diagnostic material! We also ask private individuals to double-wrap the samples to ensure safe transport.
Please use the following application form for the parasitological examination:
When sending in faecal samples from exotics, please note the following:
- Collect a partial quantity on each of 3 days.
- The total amount of faeces required is 10 g.
- Please do not use glass containers, but tightly sealed, break- and leak-proof plastic containers or freezer bags (well sealed). Please label the containers or bags with the name of the animal.
- Veterinarians are legally obliged to send samples in double-walled containers and to label the samples as diagnostic material! We also ask private individuals to double-wrap the samples to ensure safe transport.
Please use the following application form for the parasitological examination: