Pocket Pet & Small Mammal Fecal Parasite Test
At-Home Fecal Parasite Testing for Rabbits, Guinea Pigs, Chinchillas, Hamsters, Rats, Mice & Other Small Mammals
Send the sample. Not the pet.
Affordable Pet Labs makes it easy to screen your pocket pet for intestinal parasites without an unnecessary trip just to drop off a stool sample.
Simply collect a fresh fecal sample from your pet at home, mail it to our veterinary diagnostic laboratory using the provided materials, and receive professional laboratory results electronically.
Ideal for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, rats, mice, gerbils, degus, and other supported small mammals.
Why Pet Parents Choose Affordable Pet Labs
✓ Easy at-home sample collection
✓ No stressful trip just to submit a fecal sample
✓ Professional veterinary laboratory testing
✓ Designed for small mammals and pocket pets
✓ Results delivered electronically
✓ Results can be shared with your veterinarian
✓ Convenient nationwide mail-in testing
Big Care for Small Pets
Dogs and cats are not the only pets that can develop intestinal parasites.
Rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, hamsters, rats, mice, and other small mammals may also be exposed to intestinal parasites through other animals, contaminated environments, food, bedding, breeders, shelters, rescues, pet stores, or multi-pet households.
Because many pocket pets naturally hide signs of illness, changes in appetite, body weight, activity, or stool can be important.
Fecal testing provides a simple, noninvasive way to screen for intestinal parasites that may be affecting your pet.
When Should You Consider Fecal Testing?
Fecal parasite testing may be helpful if your pet:
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Has soft or abnormal stool
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Develops diarrhea
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Has mucus in the stool
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Is losing weight
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Has a reduced appetite
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Has changes in normal fecal production
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Was recently adopted or purchased
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Came from a breeder, shelter, rescue, or pet store
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Has recently been exposed to other animals
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Lives with another pet diagnosed with intestinal parasites
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Has recurring gastrointestinal problems
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Has a veterinarian recommending fecal testing
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Needs routine parasite screening
Fecal testing can also be useful when establishing a health baseline for a newly acquired pocket pet.
Perfect for New Pocket Pets
New pet. New home. Start with a health baseline.
Bringing home a new rabbit, guinea pig, chinchilla, hamster, rat, or mouse is exciting.
But before arriving in your home, your new pet may have spent time around other animals in a breeder facility, rescue, shelter, pet store, or multi-animal environment.
A fecal parasite screening can help identify intestinal parasites that may otherwise go unnoticed.
For households with multiple pocket pets, testing a new animal can also provide valuable information before introducing them to established pets.
Common Pocket Pets We Can Test
Rabbits
Fecal testing can help screen rabbits for intestinal parasites, including organisms associated with conditions such as coccidiosis.
Guinea Pigs
Guinea pigs may develop intestinal parasitic infections, including certain protozoal infections that can contribute to gastrointestinal problems.
Chinchillas
Changes in chinchilla stool deserve attention. Giardia and other intestinal organisms may be considered when evaluating abnormal or persistently soft feces.
Hamsters
Fecal testing may be useful for newly acquired hamsters or animals experiencing gastrointestinal abnormalities.
Rats & Mice
Pet rodents may carry intestinal parasites even when signs are subtle. Fecal screening may help identify certain intestinal organisms.
Other Small Mammals
We may also be able to test fecal samples from gerbils, degus, and other small mammals.
If you own a less common species, please confirm that your species is supported before submitting your sample.
How It Works
1. Order Your Test
Purchase your Pocket Pet & Small Mammal Fecal Parasite Test online.
We will send you the collection materials and instructions needed to submit your pet's sample.
2. Collect the Sample at Home
Collect an appropriate fresh fecal sample following the instructions included with your kit.
There is no need to bring your pet to a collection appointment.
3. Mail Your Sample
Package your sample using the included materials and send it to the designated laboratory location.
4. Laboratory Testing
Your pet's sample is processed using professional veterinary diagnostic laboratory methods.
5. Receive Your Results
Results are delivered electronically and can be shared with your veterinarian.
Why Fecal Testing Matters
Some intestinal parasites can cause noticeable gastrointestinal disease.
Others may initially cause mild or intermittent signs.
Depending on the species and organism involved, signs may include:
However, gastrointestinal symptoms can have many causes.
A fecal parasite test does not diagnose every cause of diarrhea, weight loss, appetite changes, or abnormal stool.
Instead, it provides useful diagnostic information that can help determine whether intestinal parasites should be considered.
Important Information for Rabbit Owners
Rabbits can develop intestinal parasitic infections, including coccidia.
Young rabbits and animals coming from environments where many rabbits are housed together may be particularly important candidates for screening.
Changes in rabbit stool should always be taken seriously.
Very soft stool, true diarrhea, reduced appetite, reduced fecal production, lethargy, or abdominal discomfort can indicate a potentially serious medical problem.
Fecal testing should never delay veterinary evaluation of a sick rabbit.
Important Information for Guinea Pig Owners
Guinea pigs can experience gastrointestinal disease from many different causes.
Intestinal parasites are one potential cause.
Consider contacting a veterinarian promptly if your guinea pig develops:
Because guinea pigs rely on continuous gastrointestinal movement, significant changes in appetite or stool production can become serious quickly.
Important Information for Chinchilla Owners
Healthy chinchilla feces should generally be firm and well formed.
Persistent soft stool, diarrhea, decreased appetite, or changes in fecal size or quantity should be evaluated.
Giardia and other intestinal organisms may sometimes be included in the diagnostic evaluation of chinchillas with gastrointestinal abnormalities.
A fecal test may help your veterinarian determine whether intestinal parasites should be considered.
What's Included
Your Pocket Pet & Small Mammal Fecal Parasite Test includes:
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Sample collection materials
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Collection instructions
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Laboratory fecal parasite testing
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Laboratory result reporting
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Electronic delivery of results
Who Is This Test For?
This test is designed for pet parents who want convenient access to fecal parasite screening for small mammals.
It may be particularly useful for:
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my pet need to visit a veterinarian for this test?
No veterinary visit is required simply to collect the fecal sample. The sample can be collected at home and mailed for laboratory testing.
However, this test does not replace veterinary care.
If your pet is sick, losing weight, refusing food, experiencing diarrhea, producing significantly fewer feces, or showing other concerning signs, contact a veterinarian.
Can I collect the sample myself?
Yes.
This test is specifically designed so pet parents can collect their pet's fecal sample at home.
Follow the collection instructions provided with your kit.
Does this test tell me why my pet has diarrhea?
Not necessarily.
Diarrhea and abnormal stool can occur for many reasons, including diet, infection, intestinal parasites, medication, stress, gastrointestinal disease, and other medical conditions.
This test specifically evaluates the submitted sample for supported intestinal parasites.
What happens if my pet tests positive?
Your laboratory report will show the detected findings.
We recommend sharing positive results with your veterinarian so they can determine whether treatment is needed and select an appropriate treatment plan for your pet's species, age, weight, and health status.
Affordable Pet Labs does not recommend using medications without veterinary guidance.
What if my pet tests negative but is still sick?
A negative fecal parasite test does not rule out every gastrointestinal disease or every possible infectious organism.
If symptoms continue, contact your veterinarian for further evaluation.
Can healthy pets have parasites?
Yes.
Some animals may carry certain intestinal organisms without obvious clinical signs.
This is one reason fecal screening can be useful for newly acquired pets or animals entering multi-pet households.
Can I test more than one pet using the same kit?
Each submitted sample should represent one individual animal unless Affordable Pet Labs specifically provides instructions for pooled testing.
Do not mix samples from multiple pets unless instructed to do so.
Can I use this test for reptiles or birds?
No.
Affordable Pet Labs offers a separate fecal testing option designed for reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
This product is intended specifically for supported small mammals and pocket pets.
When to Contact a Veterinarian Immediately
Pocket pets can deteriorate quickly when they stop eating or develop significant gastrointestinal disease.
Seek veterinary care promptly if your pet has:
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Severe or persistent diarrhea
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Complete or significant appetite loss
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Markedly reduced or absent fecal production
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Severe lethargy
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Significant dehydration
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Rapid weight loss
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Difficulty breathing
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A swollen or painful abdomen
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Blood in the stool
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Rapid deterioration
Do not wait for laboratory test results if your pet appears seriously ill.
Send the Sample. Not the Pet.
Getting diagnostic information about your small pet should not require unnecessary stress.
With Affordable Pet Labs, you can collect your pet's fecal sample at home and send it directly for professional laboratory testing.
Simple collection. Professional testing. Better information.
Order your Pocket Pet & Small Mammal Fecal Parasite Test today.
