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tvpjournal.com | November/December 2015 | ToDay's VeTeriNary PracTice PracTical ParasiTology Peer reviewed 87 laboratories to which you submit samples are performing accurate tests. commercially available tests should have performance information included in the package inserts. if laboratories perform a custom test that they have developed, ask for performance data. Cost & Turnaround Time cost and turnaround time both can be less if you perform diagnostics in-house. remember, you always have the option of performing some tests yourself and sending others to outside laboratories. i have included several sources of information in the references section. 1-4 2. What is this parasite? This one almost always begins with, "Doc, i am seeing this parasite that i haven't seen before—can you help?" often it is a telephone description but, occasionally, it is a picture captured by a digital camera mounted to a microscope and connected to a computer (more about this later). although it is unlikely to encounter a parasite that is not included in the excellent laboratory manuals available today, 1-4 you can shorten your search and save time by asking several important questions: • What is the signalment (breed, age, sex, reproductive status) and history of this pet? • Has the pet resided in your practice area its entire life or did the client move here recently? • Do they travel with the pet and where? • What do you know about recent use of antiparasitic drugs, including what, when, how much, and how often? • What is the pet's home environment—is it indoors, outdoors, or both? • Does the client oversee a kennel or cattery, or is the pet a member of a multi-pet household? • if the last question's answer is "yes" to either or both, the age, breed, and sex of other pets can be important. Signalment & Geographic Region Why all the questions? Parasites are often predictable and tend to have stereotypic behaviors. certain parasites, such as Toxocara, Ancylostoma, coccidia, and Giardia, are more common in younger pets. others emerge or re-emerge as potential problems during pregnancy and lactation (sex, reproductive status). Those parasites that require intermediate hosts are, with some exceptions, seen in pets allowed outdoor access to the insects, gastropods, and furry creatures that they might prey upon. Parasites tend to occur (and reoccur) in certain geographic regions because of climate, prevalence of intermediate hosts, and vectors. Antiparasitic Drugs & Other Pets Prior use of antiparasitic drugs can confrm or rule out a tentative diagnosis based on: • Which antiparasitic drugs were used • Whether the proper dose was administered • When they were last used. Parasites can also be a greater problem when multiple pets are confned to smaller areas. obviously, the risk of direct transmission is enhanced, particularly when the pets are of different ages and sexes, as mentioned. Pseudoparasites Keep in mind that other organisms or objects seen in feces and vomitus often are similar in appearance to parasites. These pseudoparasites can be challenging. examples include: • Tree pollen, which imitates Toxocara eggs • yeast, which masquerades as Giardia • Free-living worms, which impersonate their parasitic counterparts • large motile bacteria, which resemble motile parasites. yes, diagnosis of parasites can be challenging, but armed with a little information and experience, you would be surprised how easily the puzzle is solved. Figure. Attachment of a digital camera and computer with an internet connection to your microscope will facilitate submission of captured images to experts for diagnosis.