Faecal Testing in Dogs – Diagnosing Diarrhoea with Precision
When your dog has diarrhoea—especially if it’s sudden, chronic, recurrent, or affecting multiple pets in the household—a faecal diagnostic panel can be an invaluable tool in identifying the cause and guiding effective treatment.
This test is particularly useful in:
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Puppies (especially newly adopted)
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Dogs with persistent or recurring diarrhoea
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Households where multiple dogs are unwell
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Cases where parasites, bacteria, or viruses may be involved
🧪 What Is the Canine Diarrhoea Panel?
The canine diarrhoea panel is a comprehensive laboratory analysis of a fresh stool sample. It screens for a wide range of infectious causes, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites, using high-sensitivity tests for accurate diagnosis.
✅ What Does the Test Check For?
Viruses
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Canine Parvovirus – A highly contagious, life-threatening virus (especially in puppies)
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Canine Distemper Virus – Serious and preventable with vaccination
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Canine Circovirus – A virus associated with vomiting and diarrhoea in dogs
Parasites
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Giardia – A common protozoal infection, especially in puppies
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Worm Eggs (Ova) and Larvae – Roundworm, hookworm, and whipworm stages
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Coccidia – A protozoal parasite often affecting puppies and immunocompromised dogs
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Cryptosporidium – A microscopic parasite that may cause persistent diarrhoea
Bacteria
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Salmonella – A zoonotic infection (can spread to people)
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Campylobacter jejuni – Another bacteria that can cause illness in humans too
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Clostridium perfringens – Assessed at low, intermediate, and high levels (only high range is usually significant)
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Canine Enterococcus – May play a role in gastrointestinal imbalance
⏱ How Long Does It Take?
Results typically return within 3 working days, and we use them to:
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Tailor treatment to your dog’s specific infection
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Minimise unnecessary medications
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Reduce the duration and severity of symptoms
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Protect other pets (and humans, in some cases) from spread
🐾 When Should I Request a Faecal Test?
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Diarrhoea lasting more than 2–3 days
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Repeated bouts of loose stools over weeks or months
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Puppies with diarrhoea
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Multiple dogs in the home affected
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Blood or mucus in the stool
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Concern about potential exposure to parasites, contaminated environments, or shelter/rescue situations
Book a Consultation
If your dog is experiencing ongoing diarrhoea, it’s time to get answers.
📞 Call us on 9913 7979
📧 Or email reception@pittvets.au
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Make an Appointment with the Vet →
