i am very VERY confused!?

Question

ok so i could have sworn i saw a worm in my dogs "poop" but the vet said her fecal exam tested negative? is this possible!? by the way it a skinny white "worm" i saw

Answer 1

Anything is possible. Perhaps it wasn't a worm, string maybe? dogs get in to all sorts of things. I would be glad you got a good report and do as the vet recommends.

Answer 2

Even though the test came back negative you still could have seen a worm. Worms can be present and the test show negative because of where the life cycle is at the time of the test.
I would suggest waiting a week and getting the test done again.

Answer 3

Parasites don't shed eggs constantly and even when there are eggs present in the stool, they aren't easily spotted, so false negatives are very very possible.

Next time you see one of these worms, grab it. I know how gross that sounds, but the vet needs to see what you are seeing. Chances are it's a roundworm (long, skinny, worm looking thing.) but it could be a tapeworm (small, white grain of rice appearance.) They have different treatments, so it is important to determine which you are seeing.

Try to get a stool sample with a worm in it, and store it in the refrigerator until you can bring it to the vet office. (again, I know it's gross, but diagnostically important.)

Answer 4

The next time you think you see a worm collect the poo and take it to the vet for testing.

Answer 5

You could ask the vet to worm it anyway. The wormer will not harm the dog.

Answer 6

actually, tape worms can come out in full "stringy" lengths to! When they just "come out" of the behind, it is usually in the rice looking pieces.......

next time you see it, grab a sandwhich bag, put your hand in it, pick up the poo, and pull the bag back over your hand, and head to the vets.........

goodluck