Whether you use conventional wormers (Drontal, Panacur, Milbemax etc.) or herbal wormers it’s a good idea to regularly test the worm burden of your dog or cat to make sure they are getting the protection they need.
Simply leaving the house will expose your pets to worm eggs and larvae you can’t see - clinging to blades of grass, on snail trails, or on dead animals (mice and rats for example). The best way to find out if your pet is protected is to do a regular test for worm eggs. It's simple and you do it by post!
Do the wormcount test if:
▪ You live in a lungworm hotspot
▪ Your dog is prone to fleas (fleas carry tapeworm eggs)
▪ Your dog mixes with other dogs
▪ You don’t worm your pet at all, or unless they need it
▪ You want to check that your regular worming schedule is providing cover
▪ You would like to worm your dog less often but remain protected
▪ You raw feed your animals
▪ Your dog or cat is a scavenger
Benefits:
- Inexpensively test for: Toxocara, Tapeworm, Whipworm and Hookworm - Kit 1; and Lungworm - Kit 2
- Especially good if you don’t or can’t worm your pet for any reason
- An excellent test for raw feeders, scavengers and dogs who like to roll in unmentionable things
- Peace of mind
- A great way to find out if your current worming regime is working
How it works
- Collect the sample using our kit and post straight to the lab
- We email you the results and any recommendations for treatment, within a few days
- The kit, lab test and results reporting are included in the price
- No need for an expensive vet visit
Why two kits?
We need one sample for Kit 1 whereas for Kit 2 we need samples from three consecutive days.
- Kit 1 is a shorter test for Toxocara, Tapeworm, Whipworm and Hookworm
- Kit 2 is a separate 24 hour test for Lungworm specifically
What’s in the kit?
- A sample pot with tough outer container for added security
- Step by step instructions for collecting the sample
- An information sheet
- A return, addressed envelope
How often should I do a wormcount?
We recommend a worm egg count four times a year as the most cost effective way of keeping an eye on your dog’s internal parasite situation. If you want to test for lungworm specifically select the lungworm kit to add to your basket. If you order one of each kit - worm egg count and a lungworm kit - you will be fully covered.
When to worm:
Worm egg counts can be done any time from 14 days after worming. We don't recommend doing a test beforehand as the worming treatment you will have used, whether conventional (Milbemax, Advocate) or herbal will need 14 days to work it's magic.
Important note:
This test is not intended as a replacement for worming your pet in the first place, it is merely a way of monitoring the worm egg burden of your dog or cat and treating accordingly. Many owners choose to worm their pets while others never do, and that is of course entirely your decision. However, we strongly recommend that puppies and kittens follow a veterinary flea and worming schedule as they will have inherited a parasite burden from their mother, and not to do so can pose a serious health risk to very young animals. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to contact us.
