Hookworms cause otherwise healthy adult dogs to experience gastrointestinal upset, and can even be fatal for puppies. In this blog post, our vets in Stanwood share facts about hookworms in dogs and how these problematic parasites can be treated and prevented.
What are hookworms?
These intestinal parasites have hook-like mouthparts. Despite their small size of about 1/4" to 3/4", they can consume large amounts of blood when attached to your pet's intestine. If your pet suffers from a significant hookworm infestation, it could result in anemia or inflammation of the intestine.
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 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.
- Hookworms are often present in damp, warm environments.
What is the lifecycle of the hookworm?
The hookworm lifecycle has three stages: egg, larvae, and adult.
- Adult hookworms lay microscopic eggs inside an infected pet. Then, the eggs 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 travel to the intestine, mature into adults, lay eggs, and start the cycle anew.
Are some dogs more likely to get hookworms?
Certain factors can increase a dog's susceptibility to hookworm infections. Puppies are particularly vulnerable due to their immature immune systems. Dogs that live in crowded or unsanitary conditions or frequent dog parks and other communal areas are also at higher risk.
Clinical Signs of Hookworm Infection
The primary symptom of hookworms in dogs is intestinal upset. Other symptoms may include:
- Dry, dull coat
- Coughing
- Generalized weakness
- Pale gums
- Significant and unexplained weight loss
- Failure of the puppy to grow or develop properly
- Bloody diarrhea
- Skin irritations (especially around the paws)
If your dog displays any signs of hookworm, please contact your vet immediately. It is not uncommon for young puppies to perish from severe hookworm infections.
How are hookworms diagnosed?
Hookworms are easy to diagnose through a fecal flotation test. Your vet will ask you to provide a fresh stool sample from your dog, which will be mixed with a solution that causes any eggs to float to the top for easy visibility.
However, this test is only accurate once the worms have matured enough to begin producing 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 two to three weeks for worms to reach maturity and begin producing eggs, for this reason, fecal floats may not be accurate in diagnosing hookworms in very young puppies.
How are hookworms in dogs treated?
Anthelmintics can be used to get rid of hookworms. These medications are usually taken by mouth and rarely cause side effects. However, they can only effectively kill adult hookworms, so repeating the treatment two to three weeks after the initial treatment is important.
In cases where a dog is experiencing severe anemia due to hookworms, a blood transfusion may be necessary to save the dog's life.
Can hookworms infect humans?
Lying on infected ground can allow hookworm larvae to burrow into the skin, leading to a condition called "ground itch".
In 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 in people.
How can I prevent my dog from attracting hookworms?
There are many 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. Many products formulated to prevent hookworms will also help avoid other types of parasitic infections. Speak to your vet to learn more about 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.