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Fecal Flotation Test
A laboratory procedure used to identify parasite eggs in stool samples, though it presents specific challenges for whipworm detection.
Key Facts
- Female whipworms shed eggs intermittently rather than continuously, frequently producing false-negative results.
- Fresh feces are not immediately infectious because eggs require two to four weeks in the environment to embryonate.
- Veterinarians commonly recommend empirical deworming when clinical signs strongly suggest infection despite negative tests.
- Serial testing over multiple days can marginally improve the likelihood of egg detection.