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The McMasters Method-Fecal Analysis

The Difference between Simple Flotation Fecal and The McMasters Method

Simple Floatation Fecal is the gathering of pellets, mixing with floatation solution putting a slide cover over the fecal and allowing the eggs to rise to the top. When put under a scope eggs may be seen,this will only tell you what kind of parasites your goat has but there is no way to determine load. More often than not eggs will always be seen on a slide, however deworming simply because eggs are seen can lead to resistance to dewormers.

The McMasters Method allows for egg counts, this is critical in knowing whether a dewormer is actually needed. This method uses weighed feces with measured floatation solution and a special slide designed to give EPG counts. Those counts allow the herdsman to deworm only those with heavy parasite loads.


Learning how to run your own fecals is not difficult at all but will require patience and practice.
Determining what kind of eggs are in a sample can be challenging, many eggs look so similar they are difficult to tell apart.

What You Will Need
You will need a Microscope - with these features-
~ a 10X eye piece and a 10X objective for a total power of 100
~ a mechanical stage for precise slide control
~ a built-in light source
~We recommend the Paracount-EPG™ Fecal Analysis Kit with McMaster-Type Counting Slides - (2 chambers)
~Small disposable cups (dixie-cups)
~A fine mesh strainer
~Book or pictures of parasite eggs
~Fecal Solution- (we use a sugar solution recipe)

For microscope- we do NOT recommend digital scopes. Here is a good scope reasonably priced.
Either scope listed below- binocular is easier on the eyes. I DO NOT RECOMMEND ANY OTHER PARTS OR THEIR KIT- JUST SCOPE!
http://www.maggidans.com/kte.htm

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Getting Started-
Make sure you have your scope, beakers McMasters kit

Very old scope used by our vet in Vet school! :)
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Kit
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Making your Solution-
We use and recommend a sugar solution. You can make this at home and it is preferable over buying other solutions. Sugar medium is best as other solutions can crush eggs.

1lb of sugar
12oz water
Container for storage

Bring 12oz water just to boil, turn off heat
Add 1 lb sugar and stir til dissolved
Let cool
Pour into an easy pour container

Easy scale-
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digital
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1. Label cups with goats name
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2. Collect "berries"
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3. Take a knife or the end of a syringe (plunger part) and grind up the berries til more of a "powder" not necessarily as fine though- set aside
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4. Fill your beaker with 26ml of fecal solution- this line is on your beaker if you have the vetslides kit
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