Hookworms are nasty intestinal parasites that can cause some pretty serious health problems in dogs.
These parasites latch onto the lining of a dog’s small intestine and feed on their blood, which can lead to anemia and other complications. Puppies are especially at risk for severe hookworm infections.
So, how do dogs get hookworms? This article will walk you through the symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of hookworms in dogs, including the potential risks to humans.
What are hookworms?
Hookworms are parasitic worms that make their home in a dog’s small intestine. The two types of hookworms most often seen in dogs are called Ancylostoma caninum and Uncinaria stenocephala.
These worms get their name from their hook-shaped mouths. They use these “hooks” to latch onto the wall of the intestine.
Hookworm infections can cause anemia, weight loss, and other health problems in dogs.
How do dogs get hookworms?
Hookworms are nasty little parasites that can make your dog seriously ill. But how do dogs pick them up?
Ingestion of Larvae
One way is by swallowing hookworm larvae in contaminated soil. These larvae love warm, damp places. Your dog could ingest them while grooming, while snacking on grass, or while lapping up water from a puddle. It’s also possible, though less common, for a dog to get hookworms by preying on or scavenging an animal that’s carrying the larvae.
Skin Penetration
Hookworm larvae can also burrow right through your dog’s skin, usually through their paws or their belly. Once inside, the larvae travel through the bloodstream to the lungs and then up to the trachea. The dog coughs them up and swallows them, sending them on their way to the small intestine.
Transmammary Transmission
Puppies can contract hookworms through their mother’s milk. The larvae can lie dormant in the mother’s body and become active during pregnancy. They then migrate to the mammary glands. This is a common way for very young puppies to get hookworms.
How hookworms spread
Hookworms have a straightforward lifecycle:
- Adult hookworms live in a dog’s small intestine, where they lay eggs. The dog passes these eggs in its stool.
- When the eggs are outside the dog’s body, they hatch into larvae. Within about a week, the larvae develop into their infective form.
- These larvae can infect a new host if the host eats them or if the larvae burrow through the host’s skin.
- Once inside the new host, the larvae mature into adult hookworms.
Clinical signs and diagnosis
How can you tell if your dog has hookworms?
Clinical Signs
Common symptoms of hookworm infection include diarrhea, weight loss, lethargy, and anemia. Anemia can cause your dog’s gums to appear pale, and it can make your dog feel weak. Bloody diarrhea is another common sign.
Puppies with hookworms may experience stunted growth and failure to thrive. Coughing can occur as the larval worms migrate through the dog’s lungs.
Diagnosis
Your veterinarian can usually diagnose hookworms by performing a fecal flotation test, which detects hookworm eggs in your dog’s feces. Because it takes a couple of weeks for hookworms to mature and begin producing eggs, your vet may want to repeat the fecal exam.
In some cases, a PCR test may be used for a more sensitive detection. Your vet may also order blood work to assess the severity of any anemia.
Treatment and prevention
Happily, hookworm infections are usually easy to treat.
Treatment
The treatment plan usually involves giving your dog an anthelmintic medication to kill the adult hookworms. Some common anthelmintics are fenbendazole and pyrantel pamoate.
It might take a few rounds of deworming to get rid of all the hookworms.
In severe cases of anemia, a blood transfusion might be needed.
Prevention
Routine deworming is key, especially for puppies and pregnant or nursing dogs. Puppies are often dewormed every couple of weeks starting at two or three weeks old until they’re around eight weeks old. Nursing female dogs are often dewormed at the same time as their puppies.
You can also give your dog a broad-spectrum parasite preventative each month to help ward off hookworm infections.
It’s also important to promptly scoop your dog’s poop to prevent contamination of the soil. And it’s always a good idea to wash your hands well after you’ve been handling soil or your dog’s poop.
Can humans get hookworms from dogs?
Yes, hookworms can infect people. When hookworm larvae burrow into human skin, it causes a condition called cutaneous larva migrans (CLM), or “ground itch.” You’ll probably notice raised, red, itchy trails on your skin.
In rare cases, hookworm larvae can migrate to internal organs.
To avoid infection, wear shoes in areas where hookworms may be present, practice good hygiene, and keep sandboxes covered.
In Conclusion
Hookworms are a common parasite in dogs, and they can cause serious health problems if left untreated. The good news is that with the right prevention and treatment, most hookworm infections can be managed effectively.
To help your canine companion stay healthy, make sure you take them to the vet for regular checkups, including fecal exams and deworming, as needed.
By knowing how hookworms spread and taking steps to prevent infection, you can protect your dog and yourself.