What are Hookworms?
These intestinal parasites have hook-like mouthparts commonly found in dogs and cats. They are typically about 1/4" - 3/4" in size but can ingest surprisingly large amounts of blood once they latch onto your pet's intestine. A significant hookworm infection in your pet could lead to anemia or inflammation of the intestine.
Hookworms are often found in moist, warm environments and pets living in poor conditions, such as overcrowding or poor sanitation.
How do dogs get hookworms?
Dogs can become infected with hookworms in one of four ways:
- Larvae can penetrate your dog's skin, leading to infection.
- Dogs can quickly ingest hookworm larvae when grooming their feet or sniffing contaminated feces or soil.
- Unborn puppies can contract hookworms via the mother's placenta in utero.
- Once born, puppies can contract hookworms through an infected mother's milk.
What is the Lifecycle of the Hookworm?
The hookworm lifecycle has three stages: egg, larvae, and adult.
- Adult hookworms lay microscopic eggs within an infected pet. These eggs are then passed through the feces, where they hatch into larvae and contaminate the environment.
- Larvae can survive for weeks or even months before infecting an unsuspecting dog.
- Once the larvae enter your dog's body, they migrate to the intestine, where they mature into adults and lay eggs. The cycle then begins again.
What are the Symptoms of Hookworms in Dogs?
The primary symptom of hookworms in dogs is intestinal upset. Other symptoms may include:
- Dry, dull coat
- Coughing
- Generalized weakness
- Pale gums
- Significant (unexplained) weight loss
- Failure of the puppy to grow or develop properly
- Bloody diarrhea
- Skin irritations (especially around paws)
Contact your vet immediately if your dog displays any of these hookworm signs. It's not uncommon for young puppies to die from severe hookworm infections.
How are hookworms diagnosed?
Hookworms are easy to diagnose through a fecal flotation test.
Your vet will request that you bring in a fresh stool sample from your dog. The stool will be mixed with a solution that causes the eggs (if present) to float to the top of the solution, where they can easily be spotted.
However, this test is only accurate once the worms mature enough to produce eggs. Unlike some other worms seen in dogs, you will not typically see hookworms in your dog's poop because the worms stay securely latched onto your pet's intestinal lining until the condition is treated.
It takes worms two to three weeks to reach maturity and produce eggs. For this reason, fecal floats may not be accurate in diagnosing hookworms in very young puppies.
How are dog hookworms treated?
A class of drugs called anthelmintics can be used to eliminate hookworms. These medications are typically given orally and rarely produce side effects. They are only effective at killing adult hookworms, so it will be necessary to repeat treatment two to three weeks following the first treatment.
If your dog is suffering from severe anemia due to hookworms, a blood transfusion may be necessary to save your dog's life.
Can hookworms infect humans?
Lying on the infected ground can allow the hookworm larvae to begin burrowing into the skin, leading to a condition called 'ground itch.'
In some rare cases, hookworm larvae can penetrate and damage internal organs, including the eyes, which can cause blindness and complications. Good bathing and hygiene habits can help prevent hookworm infections.
How can I prevent my Dog from attracting hookworms?
There are some key approaches when it comes to preventing the spread of hookworms in dogs:
- Puppies should be dewormed at approximately two to three weeks of age and if symptoms occur.
- Nursing female dogs should be dewormed when their puppies are also dewormed.
- Always clean up after your dog at the park or on walks, and keep your yard free of dog waste.
- Be sure to wash your hands frequently when around your dog or after cleaning up dog waste. Also, ensure that your children wash their hands frequently.
- Keep your dog up-to-date on their parasite prevention and your dog's and cat's vaccination. Many products formulated to prevent hookworms will also help avoid hookworms. Speak to your vet to learn more about the proper parasite prevention for your canine companion.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.