Comparing fecal examination techniques for diagnosis of intestinal parasites in the dog and cat

Three fecal enrichment techniques and three commercial ELISA tests for cryp tosporidia, giardia and echinococci are compared by examining 200 fecal sam ples of dogs and cats in order to determine the practicability and the diag nostical accuracy under conditions of daily practice. The fecal flotation t echnique with sodium nitrate (Fecalyzer(R)) is shown to be both effective a nd low in cost for detecting coccidia and nematodes. For diagnosis of cesto des the combined sedimentation-flotation technique with zinc sulfate is mor e sensitive. Although it can be used as a screening method for detection of nematodes the expense of time and labor is higher than with the sodium nit rate technique. For the experienced examiner the MIFC sedimentation method is efficient in detecting protozoa by microscopical analysis. Ova of helmin ths can also be found with this more expensive method. The ELISA tests for cryptosporidia and giardia take time but their simple handling makes them s uitable for use in the veterinary practice. In contrast the ELISA test for echinococci can only be performed by specialized laboratories due to its ph otometrical evaluation.