OK, here goes:

1. Collect a fresh fecal sample

2. In a Fecalyzer, add some of the fecal sample and then add Fecasol Solution up to the top of the little arrow on the side of the Fecalyzer.

3. Add 5 drops of Lugol's Solution.

4. Agitate using the built in agitator in the Fecalyzer.

5. Fill the Fecalyzer up to the top of the Fecalyzer until it is just about to brim over the top (but not quite).

6. Carefully lay a clean cover slip on top of the Fecalyzer so it is in contact with the solution.

7. Wait 20 minutes

8. Place the cover slip (wet side down) on a clean slide

9. Examine under a microscope, first at 40x, then at 100x, then at 400x.

Most parasite ova such a Roundworms, Hookworms, Pinworms, etc., or oocysts from things like Coccidia can be seen at 400x. Tapeworm eggs can be difficult to locate in a differential flotation. I usually prepare a direct smear for those, and centrifuge the sample. If I suspect something like Crypto (which is very small), I use an entirely different technique called an Acid-Fast staining and use an Oil-immersion objective at 1,200x or 1,600x. If I'm looking for bacteria, I usually just Gram stain and 400x or 640x is usually sufficient magnification. Blood-borne parasite require yet another technique.

[ Show Entire Thread ]