After we started thinking more seriously about expanding our family, my husband brought up the idea of getting a pet or two. While I was completely against the concept at first, I realized that it might be helpful for our children to warm up to the idea before having another sibling. We got a dog and our kids were tasked with the job of feeding it every day and doing other tasks, and it was amazing to see how much the animal helped our family to grow. Pets can be a wonderful addition to a home, which is why I made this blog. Check out these fun pet posts.
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Selecting Better Pets
Tips for Collecting a Stool Sample While Walking Your Dog
Natalie Baker
It might not be overly pleasant, but taking note of your dog's feces when it relieves itself on a walk is a good way to be cognizant of the animal's health. You can make some simple changes to the dog's diet and daily routine based on what you notice. For example, if it's highly constipated, more exercise and a little more fiber in the dog's diet can be helpful.
There may be times that you're concerned about the appearance of the dog's feces. If so, you'll want to collect the stool and contact your local veterinarian. Here are some things to know about this process.
When to Collect It
You should take a stool sample after your pet relieves itself if you're aware of a significant discrepancy between how the stool looks and how it usually looks. For example, if your pet normally has firm bowel movements but has started to have loose bowel movements, this can be a reason to collect it. Similarly, if you're aware of blood on the stool, you should pick it up and keep it. Any major visual concern can be a good reason to collect the sample.
How to Store It
You don't want to collect the stool sample in a bag and simply leave it out on the counter in your home as you make plans to take it to the veterinarian for testing. If you're able to get in touch with the vet right away, and he or she encourages you to take the sample to the animal hospital promptly, you can do so. If it will be a day or two before you're able to deliver the sample—which may be the case if you collect it after regular business hours—place the bagged sample in an airtight plastic container and put it in your freezer. This will help to keep it fresh until you're able to take it to the vet.
What Else to Do
Your local veterinarian can test the stool sample to determine what, if anything, is going on with your dog. In the meantime, it can be helpful if you can notice any other symptoms that something isn't right. For example, if your dog appears to be lethargic, or perhaps has vomited once or twice, you can share this information with your vet. The more details that you can provide, the quicker that the vet will be able to assess what is going on. For more information, contact local vet hospitals like Sylvan Corners Pet Hospital.
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