The fecal smear, a test for worms, giardia, and coccidia

What vets look for in a fecal smear

[@hlegler]

Super helpful! I'm always in awe of professionals who share their hard-earned knowledge with the rest of us. It's extremely generous and makes me appreciate all you folks do. Thanks! Favorite quote: "Here's our slide--it's a poop slide!" :)

[@alyssag4824]

Your channel is great, I'm almost a cvt soon, waiting to do my test. And going for my classes for dvm. Your brave for showing non-vet personnel what goes on in our clinics. Most people would be afraid of being judged, or adding their two cents into how to do something. But your info in the videos are pretty much spot on, your a very good educator. :)

[@vandresv]

Doctor, your passion for your career is invigorating and motivating. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@DrGregDVM]

Thanks, I'm glad you like the vids! I started making these for fun. I want to share what our profession does and show that it isn't always easy to do our work. I have received suggestions and some criticism for some techniques or procedures, but have worked long enough to know that you can't please everyone. You're never too old to from suggestions and advice!

[@VenturaIT]

what's the magnification level used?

[@DrGregDVM]

If myself and my staff have been OK for thirty of my practicing years, then it must work. Where's the line? Gloves when handling every animal? Gloves when shaking hands? I'm a healthy professional in a thriving practice. Thanks for your concern!

[@Colelove85]

Greg Martinez DVM Very well spoken thirty years in nothing happened oh I Definitely know what I’m doing I know that’s right.

[@MM-op6ti]

Based and poop-pilled

[@Zonniezonnie_Minecraft]

Dr. I’m flabbergasted that you aren’t wearing a mask, you could infect a parasite or a viewer. Tisk tisk

[@TheAngieIshmael]

Thanks Dr. Greg! I'd love to work for you; you are one of the best vets out there!

[@devynndavis738]

Not if he is not wearing gloves and spreading the pathogens/parasites

[@laurasings1305]

Me too!

[@DrGregDVM]

Glad you enjoy it. I have to be careful as some people think I may treat the subject a bit lightly.My goal is to entertain and educate so the kids and everybody else won't find it too boring

[@dunmill9632]

Is it possible to detect the worm under the microscope without staining like H&E or diff qucik staining?

[@cecyliawedzicha4542]

Intersting video

[@laranadesign4764]

Great Video!!! :D As a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, we are also jokey about poop, so your video "speaks my language" in science + love for what you do = fun! As for the glove thing, yeah it's good practice, but you are not serving food and we both know that our skin is an amazing barrier against viruses and bacteria - we are just sure to properly cover wounds and wash our hands before we eat. For all we do (cage cleaning, feeding babies, removing fly eggs, cleaning maggot wounds, etc) the fun attitude and love for what we do is what keeps us all sane. ;)

[@autpadley]

This video was educational and pooptacular!!! Thanks

[@laurencarlisle827]

Love it love it love it! I'm also in a CVT program in Mississippi and I work at a no-kill animal shelter here in Jackson, MS. A lot of people think this profession is easy, I just tell them "No, far from easy but totally worth it!". Your videos are fantastic and so is your down to earth personality. The fact that you still make poop jokes totally won me over :) Keep it up!

[@DrGregDVM]

Glad you enjoy the channel. I really want people to see what we do

[@tracyrionovanewfs7862]

This is EXACTLY the tutorial I needed! Have a microscope at home. Thank you , THANK YOU!!!

[@Morpion1]

I'm really thinking about buying one, too. how is it working out for you? I just want to microscope our cat poo

[@zaimahbegum-diamond1660]

My professor would kill us and then ban my ghost from the lab if I didn't wear gloves 👀👀👀⚰️

[@lafl333]

My thoughts exactly

[@KlaviersAnthology]

As he should be!

[@jimmyAndrewJamesShepherd]

Another great video answering questions and providing detail.

[@DrGregDVM]

Thanks for the comments! I'm glad you watched so many videos. Most of my colleagues practice the same way. Guess people that work with animals have a good immune system. I wash after each patient and after a public restroom visit. Thanks for caring

[@DrGregDVM]

@thaichik I use gloves for surgery, but am probably immune to giardia and other bugs. I always wash after collecting and examining poop. I have been doing this since I was 16 and am still ticking.

[@christopherlong9324]

Great video! Great sense of humor too! Thank you!

[@kimmiek0]

ty now I can check to make sure the dewormer worked. I can save a $60+ visit to a vet because I don't want to "wait and see" if worms start showing up like I seen when I first got my sweet baby named Trouble she's lab pit mix and a bundle of ENERGY. I was totally avoiding getting another baby after my 14 year old long haired chihuahua died. it crushed me she was my only child. Trouble found me after being tossed out of a moving car window while inside a small 6 pack size cooler with a lid. She seemed like she couldn't even hold her head up. She had no visible injuries from the impact. I think the cooler may have even protected her as it hit the ground it popped open and this little thing came flopping out and it moved. my heart broke all over again. she only had a very bad case of round worms and was so lethargic I was scared she wouldn't make it through the night. but she had a strong will and with a bit of meds and lots of good food love and me she's doing great now. my issue is I'm failing. I thought I could foster her until she was well enough to find a forever home. she has already found it. I'm not financially stable enough to be able to provide all of the medical care she will need including a spay operation. I'm looking into programs that assist pups and their humans in my situation but there is not many options. I am in Pensacola Florida do you have any advice on where I can look to receive a bit of help when she gets of age to be spayed?

[@DrGregDVM]

You're right, we need to make sure our results are valid and our techniques are good Thanks

[@dangunn6961]

This video inspired me to get my own microscope so I can check my own dog's poop. It's likely that my dog could get giardia just by visiting the vet.

[@Morpion1]

how is it working out for you? I'm thinking about buying a microscope, too.

[@dangunn6961]

@@Morpion1 I tried it but didn't see any giardia. This is a fecal smear test. It's quicker but a fecal floatation test would be more accurate. I haven't tried it yet.

[@DrGregDVM]

Vets and technicians don't usually wear gloves for this procedure. We are immune to most bugs by now.

[@gallenvincedomingo5942]

I suggest you need to wear gloves for safety precautions though you are already immune to something. People might follow it.

[@synth3tic]

You're welcome! Like I said, my only worry is cross-contamination from the multi-use oinments. Other than that, no worries!

[@DrGregDVM]

@epcvirus1 Sorry didn't answer this, We use Albon(sulfa drug) for 5-7 days. We see much less coccidiosis than giardia

[@Lennox1492]

I thank you for this educational video!

[@DrGregDVM]

Drontal worms, Metronidazole/panacur giardia, Sulfa coccidia. The body usually does it itself except in weak individuals.

[@pyrofful]

Take a shot of apple juice every time he says poop and you will become diabetic. Lolol. Really though informative video thanks.

[@DrGregDVM]

@Miah151 Where do you go to school? Glad you like the videos! I enjoy educating and sharing what I see in a day. Good luck!

[@DrGregDVM]

@wmukitty We check for giardia, coccidia, worm eggs. Hope those don't come off my hands!

[@gelzonne010310]

your're the man! thank you sir! so educational.

[@DrGregDVM]

They must have coccidia also. That is why you are using the albon. How old are they and how much do they weigh? Puppies should easily rid themselves of most infections. Food allergies can complicate the situation. What do they eat?

[@trishytfoster]

Very thankful for this video, but wondering why no gloves? Sick pets come in with contagious stuff.

[@DrGregDVM]

@Cflynn16 The direct smear gives people a good idea of what we do

[@DrGregDVM]

Thanks for the comments. I value all comments so I can make better vids.

[@FawxMcCloud]

Teehee it's not a poop slide, it's a poop platter!

[@DrGregDVM]

@KendarB You are welcome, hope I explained things a bit

[@dantythedevil1183]

where is your gloves man !?

[@DrGregDVM]

Danty The Devil I'm too tough to get infected

[@smssuper]

Greg Martinez DVM but u might be spreading those cysts and ova all over the work station!!!

[@erict9392]

@@DrGregDVM THIS KIND OF RECKLESSNESS IS HOW ZOMBIES CAN BE CREATED

[@KazukoLight]

@@smssuper thats why they clean the surfaces in vet clinics dont worry they have rules and everything. They use cleaning supplies. With poop you are fine once you wash your hands and pick it up immediately. Its just poop!

[@elainenilsson5472]

are

[@Dreambarks]

Thanks, your video answered some of my questions. My Dobe is currently on Metronidazole, which cleared up his slimy diarrhea in two days. He'd had the problem for weeks, but the lab test came back negative. As a result of the failed lab test, it cost $100 for an internal medicine vet to go over my dog. Still, I feel lucky now that it wasn't a major organ disease. My question is, why would the test--which cost $55--not show the exact flagellate causing the trouble? I specifically asked for giardia testing and all the usual suspects as well. My Dobe has a habit of licking strange urine off the ground--a habit I try to discourage. It's the flehmen response; he likes to know what the girls in his neighbourhood are up to.

[@KostaTepedelenev]

I couldn't watch the whole video....How can you leave the sample on the desk opened all the time ????Working with parasites and no hygiene at all.....

[@DrGregDVM]

@Cflynn16 Glad you enjoy them

[@victorialeach2652]

Fantastic video well presented! I have a microscope and a 3 chamber mcmaster slide counter for the floatation technique and egg counting, any chance you can do a video of this technique, how to prepare the 3 chamber slide. I would like to test horses,sheep, cows and chickens any pictures of the parasites from these animals for identification purposes would be great too many thanksxx

[@KendarB]

Totally fascinating! Thanks!

[@DrGregDVM]

I wear gloves for every surgery and for grossly infected wounds and discharges. I do not need to wear gloves for every animal and normal procedures. My clients watch me practice, yes they know about it. In my eyes it is normal practice and in your eyes unsanitary. From what perspective do you watch and judge so harshly?

[@w6rr10r]

Greg Martinez DVM I would say from the eyes of someone who is a microbiologist and is worried that you could spread those everywhere and infect anyone in your clinic?

[@WELINK2]

Thank you for good informative presentation. Would you mind to mention features of microscope you used please.

[@thebandit500]

Love to see dr that have passionate what they do, Amazing in Heart, Heads up Dr Surgery or Not Surgery, You Wash your Hand before and after using Cloves, Wearing Cloves is Making Sure The Germs don't walk in your Body and get inside of you, Thank me Later, Merry Christmas & a Happy 2020 to All❤

[@PrettiestPinkGun]

Great video, thank you for making it!!!!!

[@BreyersaRS]

Thanks so much! this really helped me do my own tests on my goats

[@ChiDirtySouthGul]

I love watching your channel...You give great information to people like myself....to know what your vet should be doing or looking for..I value your channel and videos..;) I wish you were my dogs vet....:)

[@TheGeliz]

if he had a nickel for everytime he said POOP he would not even need a job

[@Ibiron]

Thank you DVM Martinez, I know have seen the light. I was wondering which power you were using to look at it and what kind of microscope you are using. I have a OMAX and the detail is very clear. Just thinking out loud. Thank you for your information.

[@DrGregDVM]

@Cflynn16 I just wanted people to see what is involved in checking the poop out with a quick direct smear

[@Ruedenim2]

good video, you should make more

[@Nurpie]

I have a microscope at home and can I use it to determine if I should give deworming pills to my dog? What magnification level would be sufficient?

[@DrGregDVM]

You know, I am getting quite a few comments about gloves, so I will try to don them for all potentially infectious discharges and areas. I am filming and grabbing the camera at the same time. so I often get distracted fitting in the videos amongst my busy day. I like the way you discussed the potential problem more than giocal who was pretty inappropriate and rude.Thanks for the comments.

[@jaym48]

Operation Mockingbird "fear porn" has infected many. ... Gloves, face shields, masks, washing hands constantly....especially with "hand sanitizer solutions"; hydrocarbons? WHY? What has changed....or what WAS changed? Education or Indoctrination? Any "Government" protocols are the LAST recommendation professional should follow. Thus, PRIVATE PRACTICE is not so private...lately? "Government always generates the direct opposite of if ITS stated intent". ANY "Crisis" is directly related to Government involvement. INDIVIDUAL Professions develop their OWN "Best Practices". P.S. Excellent video, Dr.!

[@bridget1008]

Where the heck are his gloves?????

[@DrGregDVM]

@habreezo thanks for the kind words and for watching!

[@MrJamesJamesJr]

"This is a great job." lol.

[@AshleyKoffard-r2r]

Gloves ?

[@wonkeyleggs]

Is there a stain to make different organisms stand out from from the rest? That you would use instead of or with the saline?

[@spirito96]

Great , very interesting , thanks

[@reelillusionl123]

Why saline and not regular water

[@theasiananny]

Can they get it from outside? Someone mated their female with my male dog and a week after she got home she got coccidia.

[@janicewinderl8616]

Wear are your gloves???

[@thinkagain777]

what is the bestway to clean the insides from worms/ parasites?

[@stevencoughran6115]

Hello,that was a good video iam wanting to buy a micro scope ,since my Wife breeds Exotic birds ,and once in a while she has a problem ,and since I wanted to be a DVM ,but didn't become one ,i have ways loved Science ,we have to culture incubators and, any advice on buying a micro scope ?

[@hypnos_debts7977]

My boyfriends sister is going to college to be a vet and she needed a poop sample from a poket pet so she could test if it had Roundworms and my ferret did so I Decided to see how she did it I think you people do great at your job and I have a question can your pet give it to you somehow and if thay can how can you tell if you have it

[@watchmanexpert]

I got coccidia my doctor said usual is in dog and cat ....and he don't know how I got the parasite, I don't have dog or cat ....

[@tonymacaroni7020]

could you refer me to a guide, or book that will help me identify all the things that could be found in a dog fecal using a normal microscope? are ecoli and cryptosporidium things that can be seen or do they need special equiptment? how about micoplasma?

[@purefrenchiekennel313]

What saline solution do you use?

[@FallenAshes289]

I've noticed that most vet clinics use fecal smear to detect parasites. Is the Mcmaster Fecal Egg Count Technique necessary for a practice's in-house laboratory use, or is it just reserved for diagnostic labs or research labs?

[@jenniferwoledge4075]

Gloves!!! He’s touching at handles n stuff ! I’m going to faint!!!

[@mark97213]

Thank you for the Video and information. I need two canine samples tested for parasites and planned on having you do three tests: Fecal Flotation, Fecal Smear and Elisa tests. Are any of these redundant and if not, what could someone expect these costs' to be?

[@patriciamcrae5331]

Where is your gloves? Do you not put the swab/stick in a biohazard bag or sharpie container?

[@12382576]

Where is your gloves?

[@DrGregDVM]

Do they test positive for giardia? Do they ever have soft stools? Diarrhea? We use metronidazole(14 days) and panacur(febendazole)(3-7 days)

[@km2204]

Basic 101: USE GLOVES!

[@gingerstumboo1243]

So there’s worms in my body?

[@allexx123]

I want to know if the IDEXX SNAP Giardia test is as accurate as looking at the poop sample under a scope as you had done in this video ? I have a stray kitten that showed Giardia, Round Worms and Ova & parasites, Zinc Sulfate Centrifugation, Later used a ELISA test for Giardia Antigen. Vet put the Kitten on Panacur wormer for 6 days . A re- check using the IDEXX Giradia showed Neg. a week later . But I am still giving another round of Panacur again just to be sure. What can you say about the tests ?

[@andrewchiakongthao]

How do you check for bacterial enteritis? Salmonella/E. Coli/Clostridum Perfrigens? I've got a dog that's been having bloody diarrhea and mucous for 2 months daily. I've tried worming, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and metronidazole with no success. Tylan 50 has cleared up the diarrhea to a degree.

[@DrGregDVM]

Could be food allergy. Breed ? Age? Diet? Treats? Check dogdishdiet.com

[@andrewchiakongthao]

Greg Martinez DVM American Pitbull Terrier, 15 months old, was on a raw diet his entire life and thrived until he came down with vomiting, lethargy, and no appetite...which has been followed by 2 months of bloody diarrhea with mucuous daily...have been to bets 4 times now and $1500 in the hole with no success

[@DrGregDVM]

Raw diet can contain beef, chicken, pork, fish. May want to feed a canned fish potato/ duck/potato to see if it helps. Many pits are allergic to beef or even chicken

[@tonymacaroni7020]

have you checked for cryptosporidium?

[@laurenbienenfeld1311]

What objective do you use for direct? How does this differ from float analysis?

[@DrGregDVM]

I like high dry or oil immersion for direct also. I check for clostridium perfringens, overgrowth of bacteria and often see giardia cysts. Float uses a dense liquid to float all the cysts and eggs to the slip fro a larger amount of poop. Better chance of seeing bugs

[@synth3tic]

While I think that you are a GREAT vet and admire your earthiness to a large degree when handling animals (you're right, gloves aren't a big deal for a lot of stuff), the only thing that bothers me is when you seem to contaminate what *look* to be multi-use ointment bottles by touching them with fingers which have touched wounds, etc. I could be wrong about this, though.

[@habreezo]

You're awesome :)

[@DrGregDVM]

@TheGeliz Thanks for watching and counting

[@Jwix04]

When you say "bugs", Im sure many clients are thinking beetles, etc. Much more correct to say parasites. Also, where are your gloves? At least twice in this video your hands came in contact with fecal matter.

[@Andypandieful]

I took my worms in😜🐛🐛🐛. The most disgusting display.

[@TheVideogirl1952]

What are the treatments you use to treat Giardia? and can you actually get rid of it completely?

[@DrGregDVM]

TheVideogirl1952 Giardia is cleared by the immune system of the dog or cat. Drugs help the immune system do its job by decreasing the amount of parasites the body has to deal with . Metronidazole or panacur can help rid the body of giardia. If the bowel is inflammed from food allergy, it's harder to cure pets. (Diarrhea caused by food intolerance...wheat, beef, dairy, barley, and even chicken)

[@TheVideogirl1952]

Greg Martinez DVM Just got back from the Vet and they did a snap Giardia test. He stated that this test is 98% reliable. I was thinking it took several tests to really confirm Giardia. The Vet prescribed Famotidine and Metronidazole, Fortiflora, Purina EN Gastroenteric canned dog food. Now I am in a dilemma. What food is causing the problem. It would of been easier if my dog would of been diagnosed with Giardia. I still have my other two dogs who went through bloody diarrhea 4 years ago, but I changed them from kibble to raw meat and bones and it cleared up within 24 hours. They seem to be able to eat any kind of meat and veggies. I've had this new dog on some really good canned that had no wheat or corn so I thought I was doing the right thing. At least this EN purina canned food is cheaper than the Merrick canned food I was feeding him, but the ingredients are crappy. I've had dogs for my whole life and never had to deal with this kind of diarrhea. I guess I am lucky that this is a first for me.

[@MLGtroll365]

+Greg Martinez DVM you dont heat fix it?

[@DrGregDVM]

Coccidia is easily ingested even if a male licked the butt area of a female.

[@TinShadowcat]

Raisin oatmeal while watching this video...mmm...

[@drd6893]

I’m completely disturbed that you did not wear gloves

[@KollynJ]

Wow guy was ahead of his time exposing dog food I think

[@yanniecalma6610]

nice...

[@edilonliwag2343]

you are a health care professional, I guess. As part of lab protocol please wear proper PPE before handling a sample. Basic understanding of preventing the spread of infection.

[@elainenilsson5472]

Coccidia wont show unless it is already shedding. It will pass.

[@DrGregDVM]

We are real careful about not putting our hands or anything else near our mouth

[@jenniferbentzen160]

Seriously people..... take a breath. I am positive here heard the first 50 people asking," where are your gloves?" Choose your battles.... Live and let live..... And how about putting to good use the Serenity Prayer? Please don't lash out at others.... opinions are like @ssh0les.... if yours is important please use your energy &courage to share a video with us that you feel is more helpful, instead of fearful sarcasm. I usually don't waste oxygen on reading and responding but just maybe someone can help shift the energy in the comment section? Lol. I'm embracing the life i didn't plan and getting younger every day💩

[@xvsusy35]

Hahaha- love it, great job on poop!

[@artraego4511]

Cmon Dock. Put some dam gloves on. Nasty.

[@DrGregDVM]

@MrJamesJamesJr Even looking at poop can be fun!

[@drh.sartikasilvana9029]

Hi form 2024 🙏🏻

[@jaythescientist333]

this is prob how we really got covid lmao