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Everything you need to know about Wormcount and our parasite testing service including ordering, sampling, testing and receiving your results.
SCOPS guidance recommends worm egg counts every two to three weeks during the grazing season for sheep. COWS guidance for beef and dairy cattle recommends testing two months after turnout and at least again in the middle and end of the grazing season. These are broad guidelines and specific testing frequency should be discussed with a vet, particularly for farm animals in high-risk environments.
Alpacas and llamas should generally be tested three to four times per year. Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm) is a particular concern in camelids and regular monitoring is important, especially during warmer months when the risk of infection is higher. Wormcount’s camelid screen uses a high-sensitivity Modified Stoll’s method that detects burdens as low as 5 eggs per gram.
The recommended testing schedule for horses is spring (March/April), early summer (June/July), and early autumn (September/October), with a targeted winter worm treatment in December/January. Testing in spring confirms whether winter treatment was effective and what the current burden is as the grazing season begins. Autumn testing informs the winter treatment decision. Testing outside these periods is also appropriate if symptoms are present or if a specific concern has arisen, or before a horse moves to a new yard.
Yes. Animals with persistently high worm counts or those undergoing treatment should be tested more frequently to monitor whether the burden is reducing and whether any treatment given has been effective. Wormcount’s clinical team can advise on the most appropriate testing interval based on an individual animal’s results, species, and circumstances.
The most appropriate test depends on your dog’s lifestyle, risk level, and what you are trying to achieve from your screening. For routine parasite monitoring, the Combined Worm Count and Lungworm Test is the most popular starting point. For broader screening, the Triple Pack adds Giardia and the Quad Save adds Cryptosporidium. Wormcount’s guided quiz or clinical team can help identify the right test for your dog’s individual circumstances.
Our standard worm count screens for intestinal worm eggs using microscopy. It also uniquely reports on excess lipids and food. A combined test includes both the intestinal worm egg count and a separate lungworm larval detection screen from the same sample collection. As lungworm is increasingly prevalent across the UK and often presents without symptoms, the combined test is recommended for most dogs as standard.
The Canine Triple Pack tests for intestinal worms (via faecal egg count), lungworm (via larval detection), and Giardia (via antigen detection). It is suitable for dogs at higher risk of Giardia exposure such as those who drink from outdoor water sources, live with other dogs, or have had a previous Giardia infection.
The Canine Quad Save tests for intestinal worms, lungworm, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. It is well suited to dogs with higher exposure risk.
PCR tests are most appropriate when a specific pathogen needs to be confirmed with a high degree of accuracy, or when standard microscopy methods may be insufficient. Common indications include investigating the cause of persistent diarrhoea, confirming or ruling out a specific pathogen such as Campylobacter, Salmonella, or Tritrichomonas foetus, or following treatment when an antigen test isn’t appropriate.
The Canine Parasite and Bacteria Screen is Wormcount’s most comprehensive canine diagnostic panel, combining parasite screening with bacterial pathogen detection. It is designed for dogs with persistent or unexplained gastrointestinal symptoms where a broad investigative screen is warranted. Results are provided as a detailed PDF report.
