Fecal Testing and Skin/Ear Cytology

Question 1

Common Fecal Testing Methods

Answer 1

• Sedimentation
• Direct Smear
• Centrifuge Fecal Flotation
• Standard Float

Question 2

Sedimentation Fecal Test

Answer 2

• Concentrates eggs
• Eggs settle at the bottom - too heavy to float (fluke)
• Mix feces with soapy water and strain

Question 3

Centrifuge Fecal Flotation

Answer 3

• Preferred method
• Mix feces with fecal solution
• Slanted vs Straight centrifuge makes difference on technique

Question 4

Fecal Cytology

Answer 4

• Used to look for inflammation, spores, and Histoplasma organisms
• Also used as an overal bacterial exam
• VERY thin amount of feces from rectal swab put onto slide and air dried, then stained
• Examine on high with oil

Question 5

Malassezia

Ear Cytology

Answer 5

• Yeast
• Looks like: clown shoes, bowling pins, peanut, snowman (budding)
• If not budding, will be large and circular

Question 6

Bacteria

Ear Cytology

Answer 6

Cocci
* very small with defined circles
* make see chains that look similar to rods

Rods
* long and straight
* may also form chains

Question 7

Recording Ear Cytology

Answer 7

Quantify what is seen
* indicate AU, AS, or AD
* grade as 1-3+, potentially 4+
* grade each specimen seen separately or give quantitative value overall and percent of individual break down*

*3+ overall infection (75% yeast, 25% cocci)

Question 8

Answer 8

Malassezia (yeast)

Question 9

Skin Tape Preparation

Answer 9

• Used to check for bacteria and yeast on skin (mainly yeast)
• Do after repeated infections and prior to culture
• Clear tape, 1-2 inches long, pressed against skin
• Stain with pink and purple (tape fixes cells)

Question 10

Reading Tape Prep

Answer 10

• Can be difficult
• Yeast will not be as abundant as in ears
• A few yeasts indicates infection