Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey everyone i was reading some of the post and saw the term (a fecal float test) can someone tell me what is that and how to do it.

An FEOF (as we call them at our animal hospital), is usually a generic laboratory test that analyzes a fecal sample for intestinal parasites, worms, and their eggs.
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Cheers!
• Chelsea Lynn Gardiner
(and Frank M. Wood)

Its a test done to look for intestinal parasites. Its usually performed at a veterinary clinic. Unless you have lots of animals its probably best to just have a vet do them for you.

the general process involves either centrifuging or simply letting sit - some feces mixed with either a sugar solution or zinc solution.

This process will allow any parasite eggs float to the top of the sample where they are stuck onto a glass coverslip. The coverslip is placed on a slide and viewed under a microscope.

Once eggs are noted they will be identified and dewormer dispensed as needed.
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1.1 Bearded Dragons
2.2 Leopard Geckos
1.0 Uromastyx (Mali)
1.1 Corn snakes
0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake
1.0 Bairds Ratsnake
1.0 Rosy Boa
1.1 Green Anoles
1.1 House Geckos
0.0.2 Flying Geckos
0.0.1 Red Eye Tree Frog

For a fecal float, you will need a liquid called "fecazole" which is available from a vet. It is a light blue liquid used to float a small amount(a pea-sized chunk) of feces in for a period of about 3-5 minutes, stir it for about 10 seconds at first. After the alloted time, you lay a slide cover over the top of the container (container should be filled to capacity so as to collect specimen on the slide cover) to collect specimen to be placed on a slide. Then you will examine it under a microscope to see if there are parasites present. With a copy of Roger Klingenberg's book "Understanding Reptile Parasites" you can compare any parasites you locate to identify exactly what you have. It's a little involved, but not at all difficult once you get the hang of it.
Good Luck!

Thanks everyone for the info. I think i will go and get the book.