Test 

Parasite detected 

Comment 

Faecal egg count (FEC)

Large and small redworms, 

roundworms,

and threadworms

• Results are expressed as number of eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces
• Treatment may be required above certain EPG threshold
• Repeated FEC’s should be used to determine anthelmintic efficacy

Tapeworms 

• Results are expressed as number of eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces
• Shedding of tapeworm eggs may be intermittent; a negative result does not rule of infection

Fluke egg screen 

Liver fluke 

• Results are expressed as ‘detected’ or ‘not detected’  
• Liver fluke infection in horses may not result in patent infection, i.e. the fluke may not produce any eggs

Baermann technique 

Lungworm 

• Detects shedding of lungworm larvae in faeces
• A negative result does not rule out lungworm infection as infection does not always lead to patent infection  

Cryptosporidium screen 

Cryptosporidium 

• Detects cryptosporidium antigens in faeces
• Cryptosporidium may be involved in foal diarrhoea 

Skin microscopy 

Lice and mites

• Pluck of hair from affected area is required for analysis