Not sure which test your animal companion needs?
This simple guide helps you choose the right test for your animal, so you can treat accurately, prevent resistance, and keep your animals healthy year-round.
Tests Available
Faecal Egg Count (FEC)
This is the foundation of every worm control plan.
It checks for Strongyle-Type Worms, Ascarids (Roundworms), and Tapeworms.
Use it every 8–12 weeks, before and after deworming, or whenever you suspect worms.
It helps you decide if treatment is necessary – and confirm if your dewormer actually worked.
Fluke Test
Horses, donkeys and ponies grazing near wet or marshy land may be exposed to Liver Fluke or Gastrodiscus. These parasites are not detected in normal FECs and require a specific Fluke Test.
Test after heavy rain or when you notice poor condition, dull coat, or chronic loose droppings.
Pinworm Test
If your equine is rubbing its tail or rump, but FEC results are normal, the Pinworm Test is what you need.
Pinworm eggs stick around the anus, not in the manure, so this test uses sticky tape to find them.
It’s simple, accurate, and saves you from unnecessary deworming.
Sand Test
For horses, donkeys or ponies kept on sandy soil, or fed hay and grain off the ground, sand can build up in the gut and cause colic.
The Sand Test detects sand and grit in the droppings before it causes serious problems.
Test every few months, especially if your horse has mild colic or loose droppings.
Coccidia Test
Young equines can sometimes pick up coccidia, a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhoea and poor growth.
If foals have ongoing digestive issues, the Coccidia Test can confirm whether this is the cause.
Lungworm Test
Horses and ponies that live with or near donkeys can develop lungworm infections.
If your equine has a persistent cough, nasal discharge, or laboured breathing, a Lungworm Test helps identify whether worms are the reason.
Quick Table
| Test | Detects | When To Test | Why It's Important |
|---|---|---|---|
| Faecal Egg Counts (FECs) | Strongyle-type worms, ascarids (roundworms), tapeworm | Every 8–12 weeks | Foundation of parasite control; identifies if deworming is needed |
| Fluke Test | Gastrodiscus, Liver Fluke | Grazing near wet or marshy areas, after rain | Detects fluke infections that normal dewormers can’t treat |
| Pinworm Test | Pinworm (Oxyuris equi) | Tail rubbing, irritation, negative FEC | Pinworms lay eggs outside the body - only sticky tape testing finds them |
| Sand Test | Sand or grit buildup in the gut | Horses on sandy or dry paddocks, mild colic | Detects sand colic risk before it becomes serious |
| Coccidia Test | Eimeria leuckarti | Foals with diarrhoea or poor growth | Coccidia damages the gut and slows young growth |
| Lungworm Test | Dictyocaulus arnfieldi | Coughing, laboured breathing, co-grazing with donkeys | Confirms if respiratory issues are caused by lungworms |
The Bottom Line
Testing before treating is the smartest, safest, and most sustainable way to manage parasites.
Whether it’s worms, fluke, sand, coccidia, or lungworm Paragon Scientific gives you clear, accurate answers every time.
Simple. Scientific. Reliable.
That’s the Paragon Scientific way.