AIt is entirely feasible for a horse owner to perform equine fecal examinations, if they have access to a microscope, follow standardized techniques, and have a pictorial key for identification of parasite eggs.

A suitable microscope doesn’t have to be expensive. Routine fecal exams are usually conducted at 100X total magnification, the product of the magnifications of the ocular lens (the one you look through) and the objective lens (the one nearest the slide) so that total=ocular X objective. Most ocular lenses are 10X magnification (displayed on the outside of the lens housing), so the total magnification would be 100X if one used a 10X objective lens.

Techniques are fairly simple, and they are described in detail in various reference sources. A complete, reasonably priced resource is Veterinary Clinical Parasitology by Sloss, Kemp, and Zajac (Iowa State University Press). This book can be purchased from the publisher or through retailers on the web. Those concerned about anthelmintic resistance also might consider purchasing a simple kit for conducting quantitative fecal egg counts. The Paracount kit is available from Chalex Corporation, 5004 228th Ave. S.E., Issaquah, WA, 98029; 425/391-1169; fax 425/391-6669; chalexcorp@att.net.

Any fecal examination technique will require disposable containers (e.g., paper cups), stirring sticks, microscope slides, and flotation solutions such as sodium nitrate, zinc sulfate, or concentrated sucrose (sugar). Your veterinarian can help you locate the required items