by Angie Pollock

Created on: August 25, 2009

Hookworms are a type of parasite that invades the small intestine of dogs and cats. These body invaders have teeth which are used to attach itself to the intestine wall so they can suck blood from the vessels within the intestine wall. If left untreated, hookworms can cause severe illnesses to the host and even death.

Hookworms are fairly small parasites that average one inch in length. Their life begins with the adults laying eggs in the stomach which are then passed through the system in the dog's stools. When environmental factors are favorable, the eggs hatch and the larvae begin looking for a new host. The larvae gain entry into a dog by way of mouth or they can penetrate the skin via the dog's footpads. Often times, mothers can inadvertently pass the parasites onto their offspring while in the womb or when nursing.

The signs a dog will show when infected will depend upon the severity of the infection or the amount of worms thriving in the dog and the health and age of the dog. Typically, young dogs will show more symptoms and thus suffer more from hookworms than adult dogs. Common signs include lethargy, appetite loss, and anemia resulting from the hookworms sucking the host's blood. A sign of anemia is pale mucous membranes of the gums. The infected dog may have diarrhea and if the parasite invaded the dog via the skin, areas of the dog's body like the footpads may be red, itchy, or even bleeding.

Hookworms are easily diagnosed by a veterinarian through a stool sample from the dog. A veterinarian can prescribe a dewormer which will kill the worms. A follow up treatment should be done to kill any larvae that later reached the intestine after the first dose. If the dog has suffered from severe anemia due to the infestation, supportive care and therapy may be required. This can include IV fluids, blood transfusions, antibiotics, and/or vitamin and iron supplements all depending upon the severity of the dog's condition.

There are several defensive measures dog owners can take to help prevent hookworms in their pet. Because these parasites need favorable conditions to hatch (warm and humid weather), fecal matter should be kept cleaned up from the yard especially during the warmer months. Outdoor dogs that are kept enclosed have a less chance of infection when kept on concrete flooring rather than left on open dirt or grass. Removal of fecal matter should be done daily no matter where they are housed.

Female dogs should be tested and dewormed if needed prior to pregnancy to prevent the transfer of the parasites to their young. Young puppies should be dewormed at approximately 3 to 4 weeks of age. If your dog is on a heartworm treatment, you may already be supplying your dog with preventative medicine as many heartworm medications also treat hookworms.

Hookworms can also invade the human skin. Individuals who live in the southeastern part of the US are more at risk due to the warm sandy soil. People (including children) should always wear shoes in areas where dogs are known to roam especially in tropical climates. This includes on beaches where dogs are allowed. Dog owners should provide preventative treatment to pets living in tropical climates and all dogs should be tested regularly for hookworms.

References:

THE COMPLETE HOME VETERINARY GUIDE, Third Edition, by Chris C. Pinney, D.V.M., copyright 2004.

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