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Old Dog Resources
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Dog Parasite - Hookworm
Overview -
Hookworms that
infect canines belong to the Ancylostomatidae family of parasitic nematodes
which get their name from the hook-like mouth parts they use to attach to the
intestinal walls of their hosts. Despite their small size, hookworms can siphon a large
volume of blood from their hosts and cause serious illness, especially in young
dogs. Thankfully however modern medicine has provided us with a plethora of
de-worming medications, so treatment and prevention of hookworms is relatively
simple and highly effective.
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Parasite found - Small intestine
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Symptoms -
Clinical symptoms
that may suggest your dogs is suffering from an infestation of hookworms include
generalized weakness and pale gums (results of severe anemia), a dull coat, and
significant weight loss.
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Treatment -
A number of very
effective, very safe de-worming agents are available through your veterinarian.
In fact, most puppies are de-wormed as a precaution as early as 2 or 3 weeks of
age.
If your dog has been diagnosed as having an active infection of hookworms, 2 to 4
doses of the de-wormer will be necessary, as the drugs kill only adult worms.
More than one dose is necessary to eliminate any newly matured worms that were
larvae at the time of the first dose.
In the case of particularly severe hookworm infestations, your dog may require blood
transfusions in addition to de-wormers in order to combat anemia. Your
veterinarian will be able to decide if this is a necessary step for your
companion animal.
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Prevention -
All puppies should be de-wormed at a young age, no later than three weeks of age, regardless of
health status. In addition, females should be treated both before breeding and
again during late pregnancy to reduce risk.
Periodic de-worming may be indicated for dogs at a particularly high risk for infection. This
possibility should be discussed with your veterinarian.
Proper hygiene is perhaps the most important factor in preventing hookworm infections in both
humans and animals. The prompt disposal of dog feces is vitally important,
especially in yards, gardens, and public parks. Dogs should be discouraged from
toileting in areas frequented by children, such as sandboxes or playgrounds. A
bleach solution of 3 cups of household bleach to a gallon of water is a
satisfactory cleaning agent for any surfaces you suspect may have been
contaminated.
Persons who have contact with the ground for long periods of time
should take the time to place a barrier between their skin and the earth (i.e. a
ground cloth for someone working in a crawlspace). Since sand is a perfect
environment for hookworm larvae, animals should never be allowed to defecate on
the beach, and people should avoid spending time in damp sand.
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Human Contact - Canine hookworms can infect humans, but because we are not their
natural hosts, they infect us in a different way than they do
dogs. Hookworms infect humans by burrowing through the skin.
People may be exposed in a number of different ways, but most
frequently infection occurs when an individual is lying,
sitting, or standing in or on moist soil or sand. Hookworm
larvae penetrate bare skin and their subsequent migration
through the dermis is known as cutaneous larva migrans or, more
commonly, “creeping eruption.” Lesions appear as red lines under
the skin and sometimes break open at the skin’s surface. The
condition causes no harm beyond severe itching, and usually
disappears within several weeks as the larvae die. Very rarely a
more severe condition may evolve, causing lung disease and
painful muscles, in which case medical treatment should be
sought.
It should be noted that human infections with canine hookworms
are relatively rare and can almost always be prevented by
avoiding prolonged contact with moist soil or sand.
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