Fecal float and epsom salt

[Psychobunny]

Anyone who does their own fecal float, do you use epsom salts (magnesium sulfate)?

Also, is slide staining needed to see any of the parasites common to chams or are they all visible under the microscope?

 

[Dez]

I buy Fecalsol to do my floats. Making my own of the right density seemed too complicated and I was afraid Id screw it up.

I do not stain the slide

 

[Alexl]

Which parasites do you want to see? You need to know what you're looking for by staining (e.g. cryptosporidia). There are different stains you can use for different parasites. Would be best you'll learn about the different parasites and their stages before doing fecals on your own .

You needn't stain anything just to take a look... NaCl and fecal mixed is enough to see most parasites. If there's nothing inside you can still add a flotation or other methodes (depending on which parasite you expect to find).

 

[xanthoman]

in most cases staining is not required or necessary, but in can improve view for photography or other purposes.

imo epsom salts can work fine, but you need to check the specific gravity (using a hydrometer) of your final solution just prior to the float (needs to be a specific gravity of 1.296.) on the other hand fecasol is dirt cheap and greatly reduces the likely hood specific gravity related error. imo, NaCl (salt) not a good choice, especially if you have got a new scope that you are proud of. jmo

some useful floatation links;

http://www.goatbiology.com/fecalsolution.html

http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/fecal-flotation.htm

http://www.pet-informed-veterinary-advice-online.com/fecal-float.html

http://www.vet.utk.edu/diagnostic/parasitology/Detections%20of%20Parasitic%20Infections%20by%20Fecal%20Exam.pdf

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1320050/

http://www.salecreekvet.com/724987.html

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...rumbCw&usg=AFQjCNGLKIUFkvJ5psar1e1f2IvSQGu8OQ

http://www.vetslides.com/

imo, the biggest issue with using fecasol is local availability. its legal for purchase but some suppliers only sell to licensed vets/labs etc. also the size most commonly available is 1 gal, which would last the average cham keeper about 6000 yrs.

since it is a liquid, shipping is often more than the cost of the product. if you are looking for small qty. smaller bottles can be had at the beautiful dragons store; http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Reptilestore.html

 

[Psychobunny]

Thanks for the help.
I work in a lab. so I have the stuff to do this, but my background is
chemistry, not microbiology.

I have been trained to use a microscope and do simple staining, but I
cant remember what it was we were staining for!
A bacteria I guess

 

[ColombiaCham]

Here is another

You can also use this :

http://www.amazon.com/Sheathers-Sugar-Flotation-Solution-J-1028/dp/B001PPTCJE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1342445423&sr=8-2&keywords=sheathers+sugar

Which is highly recommended by vets since it has a higher specific gravity than fecasol.

Also you can get the float kits the cheapest at:

http://biorxlabs.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=91_154&products_id=468