[Jukes Mum]

Hi All 
How fresh does a sample need to be to conduct an accurate FEC? The vet said as fresh as possible. A farmer said 'as soon as it lands'!
My problem is that I work from home and could collect a freshly laid sample (!) at lunchtime, but would not be able to get it to the vets 'til 5pm. Is that too long? 

[princesslayer]

I do post ones, so collect a sample then post it the same day. Presumably it doesn't get looked at til the next day. If your vet will do it that evening or next day, I would say it should be ok? Perhaps worth asking vet.

[Dans]

Keep the sample cool and airtight and you'll be alright.

Kept until that evening to go to the vets will be fine. But do collect and bag it as soon as possible. A sample that has been lying around on the floor for a good while won't be much good.

Dans

[Fleecewife]

Keep the sample cool and airtight and you'll be alright.


Dans

Oh no - not in the fridge   

Timely thread - Mr F will be doing the poop scooping in the morning 

[Dans]

Lol fridge is best but I'd probably be doing some serious serial bagging before it went in a fridge that had food.

I have to admit though I did take a sample from my cat for a study she is part of, but took it on Sat afternoon. That went in the sealed pot, in a bag, in another bag, in a jiffy bag, in another sealed bag and then in the fridge until Monday morning post!

Dans

[Womble]

I was once in the Doctor's waiting room when an old chap wheeled in one of those tartan shopping trollies so beloved of OAPs, from which he proceeded to take out an ice cream tub.

He slapped it on the counter and loudly announced "This is my stool sample for Dr Jones"  .


However, when I told this to a GP friend of mine, he said "That's nothing - I once got one in a wide necked thermos because the lady thought it would be better kept warm!" 

[Kimbo]

when we do our horses the samples are at least 18 hours old by the time they reach the vet. I keep them in a cool garage but not in the fridge. Although Im not sure why I do that!!