Description
Faecal worm egg counts
Faecal worm egg counts (F.E.C’s) are performed on faeces samples of large & companion animals to detect the presence and provide an estimate of the adult worm burden in an individual or small group of animals.
Animals shedding relatively large numbers of worm eggs in their faeces are at risk of loss of condition and illness and pose a threat to other animals grazing the same pasture.
Also, F.E.Cs can be performed as part of a Faecal Egg Reduction Test (F.E.C.R.T) to detect the efficacy of, or resistance to, the anthelmintic in use.
In general, faecal worm egg count kits help vets and owners maintain their livestock in good health, provide financial benefits by avoiding unnecessary worming treatments and delay/avoid the development of anthelmintic resistance.
F.E.C Methods
McMaster Worm Egg Counting Method
For Faecal Worm Egg Counts On Large Animals
McMaster counting slides are widely used for performing faecal worm egg counts (F.E.C’s). Faecal worm egg counts are performed on faeces samples mainly from large animals such as horses, sheep and cattle which normally harbour low levels of worms in their guts.
The McMaster Slide method of estimating the parasite load of an animal is made up of just four easy to understand and perform steps.
First, separate the worm eggs from a sample of the animal’s faeces using a Faecal Flotation Solution. Second, find the eggs (oocytes) using a microscope and, third, count them using the McMaster Slide. Finally, knowing both the weight of faeces sampled and the number of worm eggs counted, calculate the animal’s likely level of worm infection.
We Supply Three Types Of McMaster Counting Chambers
All Glass McMaster Chamber
Glass/Hybrid McMaster Chamber
Acrylic McMaster Chamber
Concentration/Flotation Method
Worm Egg Detection Method For Companion And Small Animals
The Statspin OvaTube and The ParaTEST® VET are the ideal on-site parasite detection test kits which are suitable for companion and small animals and have been developed for use in veterinary hospitals, practices and reference laboratories. In a situation where an animal has internal parasites or a particular parasite, the concentration flotation technique is recommended for the maximum yield of ova and oocysts. The ParaTEST ®VET does not require a centrifuge but The Statspin OvaTube method can be performed with or without a centrifuge.
The basic principle uses a flotation solution of special Specific Gravity in which the faecal sample is mixed and poured into a centrifuge tube. This can then be incubated vertically on the bench for up to 10-15 minutes or centrifuged ready for microscopic examination.
