Hookworms are tiny parasites, which are about 3 mm long and infect the intestines of dogs and cats. Despite their very small size, hookworms suck a lot of blood and there are plenty of them in your pet. Therefore, it is important to address this problem before it progresses to serious anemia and endangers the life of the dog or cat.
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Part 1 of 3: Identifying Hookworms
Step 1. Look for symptoms of itchy feet in dogs
Itchy feet are usually the first symptom of an outbreak in an environment that is inhabited by hookworms. This is due to the environment that supports the movement of larvae from the soil to the dog through the skin. This causes inflammation and irritation of the dog's paws
Step 2. Watch for recurrent diarrhea
The most common symptom in adult dogs is diarrhea, which is usually accompanied by blood. Diarrhea is usually accompanied by abdominal cramps and symptoms of discomfort.
- Diarrhea can be a symptom of a variety of medical disorders in dogs. If your dog has recurring diarrhea, it's best to take him to the vet's office.
- For adult dogs, hookworms settle in the lining of the small intestine and secrete anticoagulants that stop blood clotting. Not only does this mean that the dog loses blood when the hookworm feeds on and sucks blood, but it also causes blood to continue to ooze from the worm's attachment site after breaking free. This is why dog poop usually bleeds.
Step 3. Look for symptoms of anemia
Dogs become anemic when they lose enough blood. To check, check your dog's gums, which should be a healthy pink. Pale pink, gray, or white gums are an indication of anemia.
Step 4. Watch for symptoms of fatigue and exhaustion
If anemia continues to be undetected and treated, the blood becomes very diluted and the heart beats so that the dog becomes weak. This means that dogs easily faint after a rather strenuous activity.
The dog's breath also becomes heavy and short, and if left untreated, the animal can die
Step 5. Look for symptoms in the puppy
Puppies can be infected before birth through their mother's placenta, as well as through the breast milk they drink. Puppies born with hookworm infections often die, grow deformed, and have a dull, ugly coat.
- Dogs can suffer from persistent diarrhea, and can die from loss of blood and fluids.
- Since a dog's system is still very fragile, you should take him to the vet at the first signs of illness. This can determine the life of the dog.
Part 2 of 3: Getting Veterinary Care
Step 1. Take your dog to the vet if you think he has hookworms
Hookworm infection should be treated by a veterinarian. He or she will be able to assess the dog's infection, its seriousness, and the best way to treat it.
Step 2. Take a sample of dog feces to the vet
Hookworms are so small that they are difficult to see with the naked eye. Your veterinarian will be able to diagnose the infection by examining the feces using a microscope. This process will be faster if you come with a sample ready for inspection.
- When calling the vet's office to make an appointment, ask about bringing a sample if it doesn't mention it.
- It can take 2-3 weeks before adult hookworms begin to lay eggs, (which are detected in dog feces) making it possible for a false negative to occur if the stool is examined shortly after a new infection.
Step 3. Follow the care directions from your veterinarian
Treatment usually involves eradicating adult worms with an appropriate anthelmintic (a type of antiparasitic drug). This treatment is repeated two weeks later, to kill all worms when they hatch.
- Even anthelmintics that are effective against hookworms do not kill their larvae. Therefore, 2-3 treatments every two weeks are required to kill the larvae in the first treatment.
- Make sure the dog is weighed accurately and the dose is determined according to the manufacturer's guidelines.
Step 4. Prevent re-infection
To prevent your dog from becoming infected again, make sure your environment is as clean as possible. Unfortunately, there are no licensed products to kill larvae hiding in the soil so it's best to prevent infection by picking up dog feces as soon as possible.
For example, concrete paths should be scrubbed daily with bleach. All fabrics in the house should be thoroughly vacuumed and washed, if possible
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Hookworm Infection
Step 1. Understand how dogs get infected
To reduce your dog's chances of getting infected, it's a good idea to understand how dogs get this disease. Adult dogs are usually infected in two ways:
- Dogs can touch and then swallow worm feces. For example, when a dog steps on dirt, then licks its own paw.
- Worms can infiltrate through the dog's paws and enter the bloodstream. This is made easier if the dog is kept in damp conditions which means the skin on the dog's paws is permanently weakened by the humidity.
Step 2. Give anthelmintic which is also effective in preventing hookworm infection
Most monthly hookworm medications also contain an infection-fighting agent. That is, it is important not to forget to give this medicine every month. Products that have been proven to be effective include:
- Ivermectin + pyrantel: contained in Heartgard Plus, Iverhart Plus, Tri-Heart Plus
- Pyrantel + praziquantel: contained in Virbantel
- Milbemycin: contained in the Interceptor and Milbemax
- Milbemycin + lufenuron: Contained in Sentinel,
- Imidacloprid + Moxidectin: Contained in Advantage Multi
- Fenbendazole: Contained in Panacur, SafeGuard
Step 3. Take care of the newborn puppy
Puppies should be given hookworm infection prevention medication at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. This is important because hookworms are common in newborn dogs.
- Make sure you only use products suitable for puppies, such as fenbendazole.
- Give the drug repeatedly to ensure that all larvae that are not killed by the drug die immediately when they hatch.
Step 4. Make sure you have cared for the pregnant dog
Female dogs who give birth to infected puppies should be given hookworm treatment before their next pregnancy. In addition, give fenbendazole to pregnant female dogs orally from day 40 of gestation until 2 days postpartum to control transmission of larvae via the placenta and milk. The dose is 25 mg/kg by mouth with food, once daily.
Step 5. Keep in mind the existing risk factors
Dogs are most at risk for hookworms if they live in warm, humid environments, because that's where hookworms can thrive. In addition, dogs who live in environments that are not kept clean so that they often step on the feces of other dogs are also susceptible to hookworms.
