Sedimentation Method:

23.5.3 Sedimentation Method:

This is a good method to use because it allows looking specifically for liver fluke eggs. It is also easy to do. It is based upon some eggs being heavier than water and sinking to the bottom of a solution of feces. If feces sit in a solution of water, fluke eggs and some tapeworm eggs will slowly settle to bottom of the sample.

Procedure:

 Place about 1 teaspoon of fresh feces in a clear tea glass.

 Fill the glass about 1/2 full with fresh water and stir with a clean stick.

 Filter this solution through an ordinary tea strainer (one layer only) into another clean tea glass.

 Rinse clean water through the strainer to fill the new glass.

 Let sit for 30 - 60 minutes so heavy things can settle to the bottom of the glass.

 Pour off clear water from the top of the glass. Sediment must remain.

 Fill glass again with water and allow to sit again for about 30 minutes. Pour off clear water from the top of the glass. Sediment must remain. Repeat again if time allows.

 Add New Methylene Blue to the sediment (not essential but aids in the identification of rumen fluke eggs).

 Mix several drops of sediment with clean water on a clean slide.

 Examine entire slide under medium power for liver/rumen fluke eggs.

 If negative (no eggs seen) then prepare a new slide and repeat 2 more times.

Note: It is not necessary to let the sample settle 3 times; it just makes for easier examination.

Results:

 1 egg seen means the sample is positive. However, even if all 3 slides are negative, the animal could still have liver flukes. A bit of feces that was negative may have just been examined. If in doubt, go ahead and treat the animal for liver fluke according to the symptoms.