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Everything you need to know about Wormcount and our parasite testing service including ordering, sampling, testing and receiving your results.
No. Wormcount does not sell any chemical, natural, or homeopathic worming products. This is a deliberate decision to ensure that Wormcount’s results and aftercare advice are completely impartial, with no conflict of interest. Where treatment is recommended following a positive result, Wormcount Clinical Team are legally qualified to advise on appropriate options.
Common intestinal worms in UK dogs include roundworms (Toxocara canis), hookworms (Uncinaria stenocephala), tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum and Taenia species), and whipworms (Trichuris vulpis). Lungworm (5 species currently present in the UK) is an increasingly prevalent concern and requires a dedicated test as it is not detectable on a standard worm egg count. Regular parasite testing is recommended to monitor for all of these.
There are 5 species of lungworm in the UK. Each live in different areas of the respiratory or pulmonary tract and affect the dog to different degree. They are most commonly spread by ingesting slugs or snails (or surfaces contaminated by their slime) that carry lungworm larvae. It is now present in every county in the UK and some species are potentially fatal if left untreated. Many infected dogs show no symptoms at all, particularly in the early stages, making routine screening particularly important. Wormcount’s lungworm screen detects all five species of lungworm currently identified in the UK.
Signs of worms in dogs can include weight loss, a pot-bellied appearance, dull coat, scooting, visible worm segments in faeces, vomiting, and diarrhoea. However, many dogs carry a significant worm burden without showing any obvious symptoms. A worm count is the only reliable way to confirm the presence and level of internal parasites.
Yes. It is common for dogs to carry internal parasites without showing any obvious clinical signs. This is why routine worm counting is recommended at least every three months for healthy adult dogs, regardless of whether they appear well. Regular testing ensures that any burden is detected and managed before it becomes a more serious health issue.
Giardia is a microscopic protozoan parasite that lives in the gut of infected dogs. It is typically spread through contact with contaminated water, infected faeces, or other infected animals. Giardia is highly contagious between dogs and can also be transmitted to cats and humans. Many dogs carry Giardia without showing symptoms, yet remain capable of spreading it to other animals and people.
Yes. Giardia can be transmitted from dogs to humans, making it a zoonotic concern, particularly in households with young children. Dogs that are infected but showing no symptoms can still shed Giardia and pose a transmission risk. Regular Giardia screening, good hygiene, and prompt treatment of positive animals reduces the risk of household transmission.
Wormcount’s lungworm test requires a faecal sample collected over three consecutive days. The sample is tested using the Baermann technique, which detects live lungworm larvae in the faeces. The test is available as a standalone kit or as part of a combined worm count and lungworm kit. Results are issued the working day after the sample arrives in the laboratory, as the test is an extended process.
Common parasites in UK cats include roundworms (Toxocara cati), tapeworms (Dipylidium caninum and Taenia taeniaeformis), hookworms, and Giardia. Lungworm is also present in cats and is an increasing concern, particularly in hunting cats. Tritrichomonas foetus is a protozoan parasite increasingly identified in cats, especially in multi-cat households and catteries.
Yes. Cats can become infected with lungworm, most commonly Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, typically through hunting and eating infected prey such as birds and rodents. Like dogs, cats may carry lungworm without showing obvious symptoms. Wormcount’s lungworm test is suitable for cats and detects larvae in a three consecutive day faecal sample.
