General Guidelines for Dogs and Cats
Parasite Testing and Protection Guided by Veterinarians
- Conduct preventive physical examinations at least every 6 to 12 months.
- Conduct annual heartworm testing in dogs; test cats prior to placing on heartworm preventive and thereafter as indicated.
- Test annually for tick-transmitted pathogens, especially in regions where pathogens are endemic or emerging.
Conduct fecal examinations at least four times during the first year of life, as young animals are more susceptible to parasitic infections. For healthy adult animals, fecal testing should be conducted at least two times per year, with frequency adjusted based on the individual’s health status, environmental exposure and lifestyle factors such as travel, outdoor access, or contact with other animals. Based on sample size, clinical signs, suspected parasites, and skill and experience of the clinic or laboratory, fecal centrifugation float, fecal antigen testing, fecal PCR (polymerase chain reaction), or AI (artificial intelligence) methods are available. For routine fecal examinations, fecal antigen, PCR and AI methods of testing can serve as a highly accurate and effective screening method for intestinal parasitism. Fecal antigen and PCR can have an increased level of parasite detection over centrifugal fecal flotation alone for the species of parasites currently detectable by these assays. Centrifugal flotation offers the ability to detect a broad spectrum of intestinal parasites that is not constrained by defined panels. Passive fecal flotation is not recommended.
A brief description of each method is provided below.
Fecal centrifugation diagnostics: Centrifugal fecal flotation offers the ability to detect a broad spectrum of intestinal parasites that is not constrained by defined panels.
Fecal antigen diagnostics: Fecal antigens are produced by immature and adult worms and protozoal life stages of specific parasites in the lumen of the small intestine. Both male and female worms can be detected, and antigen production is not linked to egg or oocyst production. Diagnosis by detection of antigen allows identification of prepatent and single sex infections, supporting use of preventives and allowing earlier treatment.
Fecal PCR diagnostics: Commercial PCR assays are available for the detection of DNA produced by male and female worms and protozoal life stages for specific parasites. DNA may be present in feces even when eggs, cysts and oocysts cannot be detected by microscopy. DNA is stable in the feces for 10 days at 4°C. Diagnosis by detection of PCR allows identification of prepatent infections, supporting the use of preventives and allowing earlier treatment.
Artificial Intelligence-assisted fecal diagnostics: An AI-powered analyzer is available for in-clinic use and allows visual detection of eggs and oocysts of specific parasites in feces.
- Prescribe control programs to local parasite prevalence and individual pet lifestyle factors.
- Adapt prevention recommendations to address emerging parasite threats.
- In areas where Lyme disease is considered endemic or emerging, vaccinate dogs against Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Confirm pets have been both recently tested for parasite infection and are current on broad-spectrum internal and external parasite control prior to boarding or visiting shared space animal facilities
Every Pet, All Year Long
- Administer year-round broad-spectrum parasite control with efficacy against heartworm, intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks. Control of parasites with zoonotic potential is essential.
- Administer anthelmintic treatment to puppies and kittens starting at 2 weeks of age and repeating every 2 weeks until regular broad-spectrum parasite control begins.
- Maintain pregnant and nursing dams on broad-spectrum control products.
Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Pets, Healthy People
- Feed pets commercial or cooked food (not raw diets) and provide fresh water.
- Cover sandboxes when not in use, and protect garden areas from fecal contamination.
- Pick up feces immediately when walking a dog in a public area and from the yard on a daily basis.
- To prevent roaming and limit predation, keep dogs on a leash or behind a fence and keep cats indoors.
- Permanently identify dogs and cats through microchip implantation.
- Do not handle animal feces or urine with bare hands, and wash hands immediately after incidental contact. This recommendation is particularly important for children and individuals at increased risk.
- Properly dispose of animal waste according to local municipal regulations.
- Spay or neuter all pets not intended for breeding.
If Year-Round Broad-Spectrum Parasite Control Cannot Be Maintained
- For puppies and kittens, administer anthelmintics starting at 2 weeks of age, repeating every 2 weeks until 2 months of age, monthly until 6 months of age, and quarterly thereafter.
- Treat all adult pets four times a year with a broad-spectrum anthelmintic with efficacy against intestinal parasites.
- Appropriate fecal diagnostics performed at least 2-4 times a year.
- Encourage annual testing for heartworm and other vector-borne infections in dogs and routine, year-round use of heartworm preventive, monthly intestinal parasite control, and flea and tick control in all pets.
Parasite Testing and Protection Guided by Veterinarians
- Conduct preventive physical examinations at least every 6 to 12 months.
- Conduct annual heartworm testing in dogs; test cats prior to placing on heartworm preventive and thereafter as indicated.
- Test annually for tick-transmitted pathogens, especially in regions where pathogens are endemic or emerging.
Conduct fecal examinations at least four times during the first year of life, as young animals are more susceptible to parasitic infections. For healthy adult animals, fecal testing should be conducted at least two times per year, with frequency adjusted based on the individual’s health status, environmental exposure and lifestyle factors such as travel, outdoor access, or contact with other animals. Based on sample size, clinical signs, suspected parasites, and skill and experience of the clinic or laboratory, fecal centrifugation float, fecal antigen testing, fecal PCR (polymerase chain reaction), or AI (artificial intelligence) methods are available. For routine fecal examinations, fecal antigen, PCR and AI methods of testing can serve as a highly accurate and effective screening method for intestinal parasitism. Fecal antigen and PCR can have an increased level of parasite detection over centrifugal fecal flotation alone for the species of parasites currently detectable by these assays. Centrifugal flotation offers the ability to detect a broad spectrum of intestinal parasites that is not constrained by defined panels. Passive fecal flotation is not recommended.
A brief description of each method is provided below.
Fecal centrifugation diagnostics: Centrifugal fecal flotation offers the ability to detect a broad spectrum of intestinal parasites that is not constrained by defined panels.
Fecal antigen diagnostics: Fecal antigens are produced by immature and adult worms and protozoal life stages of specific parasites in the lumen of the small intestine. Both male and female worms can be detected, and antigen production is not linked to egg or oocyst production. Diagnosis by detection of antigen allows identification of prepatent and single sex infections, supporting use of preventives and allowing earlier treatment.
Fecal PCR diagnostics: Commercial PCR assays are available for the detection of DNA produced by male and female worms and protozoal life stages for specific parasites. DNA may be present in feces even when eggs, cysts and oocysts cannot be detected by microscopy. DNA is stable in the feces for 10 days at 4°C. Diagnosis by detection of PCR allows identification of prepatent infections, supporting the use of preventives and allowing earlier treatment.
Artificial Intelligence-assisted fecal diagnostics: An AI-powered analyzer is available for in-clinic use and allows visual detection of eggs and oocysts of specific parasites in feces.
- Prescribe control programs to local parasite prevalence and individual pet lifestyle factors.
- Adapt prevention recommendations to address emerging parasite threats.
- In areas where Lyme disease is considered endemic or emerging, vaccinate dogs against Borrelia burgdorferi.
- Confirm pets have been both recently tested for parasite infection and are current on broad-spectrum internal and external parasite control prior to boarding or visiting shared space animal facilities
Every Pet, All Year Long
- Administer year-round broad-spectrum parasite control with efficacy against heartworm, intestinal parasites, fleas, and ticks. Control of parasites with zoonotic potential is essential.
- Administer anthelmintic treatment to puppies and kittens starting at 2 weeks of age and repeating every 2 weeks until regular broad-spectrum parasite control begins.
- Maintain pregnant and nursing dams on broad-spectrum control products.
Healthy Lifestyle, Healthy Pets, Healthy People
- Feed pets commercial or cooked food (not raw diets) and provide fresh water.
- Cover sandboxes when not in use, and protect garden areas from fecal contamination.
- Pick up feces immediately when walking a dog in a public area and from the yard on a daily basis.
- To prevent roaming and limit predation, keep dogs on a leash or behind a fence and keep cats indoors.
- Permanently identify dogs and cats through microchip implantation.
- Do not handle animal feces or urine with bare hands, and wash hands immediately after incidental contact. This recommendation is particularly important for children and individuals at increased risk.
- Properly dispose of animal waste according to local municipal regulations.
- Spay or neuter all pets not intended for breeding.
If Year-Round Broad-Spectrum Parasite Control Cannot Be Maintained
- For puppies and kittens, administer anthelmintics starting at 2 weeks of age, repeating every 2 weeks until 2 months of age, monthly until 6 months of age, and quarterly thereafter.
- Treat all adult pets four times a year with a broad-spectrum anthelmintic with efficacy against intestinal parasites.
- Appropriate fecal diagnostics performed at least 2-4 times a year.
- Encourage annual testing for heartworm and other vector-borne infections in dogs and routine, year-round use of heartworm preventive, monthly intestinal parasite control, and flea and tick control in all pets.