Faecal analysis
Faecal parasitology is a basic diagnostic technique.
Faecal parasitology should be carried out on any new arrivals at a rehabilitation centre, as part of ongoing screening of animals at a rehabilitation centre and as part of a diagnostic work-up for tigers with gastrointestinal signs.
A faecal flotation and a direct wet prep should be performed on every faecal sample analysed.
For the flotation fresh faeces should be thoroughly mixed with either zinc sulphate solution or a strong sugar solution in a dedicated container. Commercial test kits such as Ovatec are useful if available. The solution should then be used to fill the container until a meniscus is obtained. A cover slip should be placed on the meniscus and left for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes the cover slip should be placed on a microscope slide and analysed. The microscope examination should begin using magnification 10 (0.25). The whole coverslip area should be systematically examined.
For a direct wet preparation a small amount of faeces (1-2mm3) should be placed on a microscope slide. A drop of water or saline should then be added and mixed with the faeces in a circular motion until large particles are broken down and the sample covers 1cm2 of the slide. A coverslip should then be added and the slide examined under the microscope as described above.
