rottie puppy with loose stool

[norris8769]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum. My 15 week old rottie female has had loose stool for the last couple days. I'm trying to rule out causes. Her food has been the same since the day she weened. I run a wastewater lab, have access to microscopes and want to do a preliminary stool exam before I go to the vet to have one done. Can anyone tell me the procedure for analyzing a stool sample? Do I just smear a portion of the sample on a slide and pop it under the scope?

Thanks

P.S. there are no visible worms or other items in the stool, she has been vaccinated and is otherwise healthy, she's had dewormer medication. I'm wondering if it is giardia or coccidia

[norris8769]

Hi,

I took stoo sample from her poop last night, mixed it with some DI water and threw it under the scope this morning. I didn't see anything moving or resembling giardia cysts etc. I'm wondering if the sample was too old to observe active microorganisms. I saw alot of dead neamtodes (I couldn't determine which type), insect parts that I'm assuming she ate, and other debris. I'm going to try to get a fresh sample tomorrow morning and see if I have any other luck. In the mean time I've stared her on a boiled chicken and rice diet.

Again, if anyone out there has any thoughts please let me know!

Thanks.