VPA 211: General Veterinary Parasitology and Helminthology (3+1)

EXAMINATION OF FAECES

Examination of Faeces (Coproscopy)

A laboratory unit for routine diagnosis of helminthic infection can be installed at a reasonable cost and effort. Equipment, material and tools necessary for microscopic faecal examination of specimens are given below

• Compound microscope(Objectives: 10,40,100X; eyepiece:10X)
• Dissecting microscope and magnifying glass
• Slides, Cover slips and labels
• Pasteur pipettes
• Cotton wool
• Wooden / plastic spatulas
• Sieves with different mesh sizes, tea strainer
• Plastic specimen containers with tight lids, plastic bags
• Centrifuge, Centrifuge tubes (Plastic or glass)
• Dissection needles, forceps
• Measuring cylinder
• Flotation solutions
• Beakers and petridish

Points to Remember during Collection and Preservation of Faecal Samples

• Faecal examination should be conducted on fresh faecal sample.
• Dung should be collected directly from the rectum of large animals.
• Faecal loop obtained from the rectum on a thermometer should not be relied for routine examination.
• If rectal samples are not available, animal owners should be asked to collect faeces immediately after defecation.
• 5-10 grams of faeces should be collected for routine faecal examination. The faeces are despatched to the laboratory in plastic containers with a tight lid or closed plastic bags.
• Creation of anaerobic condition in the container by filling completely with the faeces can preserve the sample up to 7 days without refrigeration.
• Faeces can be preserved at 4^o C up to 1-2 weeks. Freezing of sample should be avoided as freezing will distort parasite eggs.
• Equal volume of 10% formalin added to faeces can be used as preservative / fixative.
• Label the containers with description such as owners name and address, date and place of collection, species, age and sex of animal. History sheet of the disease is essential.
• If the faeces are dried, soak in small amount of water / flotation fluid till the faeces are soft.
• Macroscopic examination of faeces is made for consistency, colour, presence of blood or mucus, presence of adult or larval parasites and tape worm segments.
• Samples from 10% of herd / flock should be collected if the intensity or degree of infection of a group is to be assessed.

Click here to view worm eggs from ruminants