These worms live in the small intestine of the dog and are distinguished by a bend in the front part of the worm, hence their name. Their mouths are adapted to grasp chunks of the lining of the dog’s intestine and damage the surface and, depending on species, ingest blood or tissue fluid.
There are two types of hookworm: Northern hookworm (Uncinaria stenocephala) is a less avid blood sucker, but dogs infected with a large number of the worms may be deficient in blood proteins; the other dog hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum) is a voracious blood sucker and infected dogs with large numbers of worms may be anaemic. Dog hookworm is found in the warmer parts of Europe such as France and Spain; Northern hookworm is most common in northern parts of Europe.
Common Causes for Hookworm in Dogs
Worm eggs are passed in the faeces and develop into small larval worms in the environment. Dogs are then infected when they ingest these microscopic larvae.
In some cases a new infection of dog hookworm fails to develop into adult worms and instead the larvae become dormant in the tissues. This forms a reservoir of infection that can pass in the bitch's milk to her pups. Heavy infections can cause anaemia and sometimes death.
Symptoms of Roundworm in Dogs
The hookworm, also known as Ancylostoma and Uncinaria is a parasite that resides in the intestine of the dog. Having teeth, the worm feeds on the blood of the dog.
The symptoms of hookworms are more severe in puppies.
When the parasite feeds on the dog's blood, this can easily lead to anemia. The anaemia signs are pale gums and discoloured tongue and nose, hair loss and dry skin.
A dog with hookworms will also show symptoms of tiredness, have diarrhea and vomit. If the dog doesn't have diarrhea, he might have hard, black coloured feces. Hookworms are small and rarely visible in the stool of the dog. Usually hookworm eggs are present in the feces, but these are only visible under the microscope.
Dogs with hookworms are less active than usual.
Severe cases of hookworms can be accompanied by cough and pneumonia, if the larvae of the worms move towards the lungs.
Diagnosing and Treating hookworm in Dogs
In order to diagnose a potential hookworm infestation, your veterinarian will conduct a thorough physical exam. He will watch specifically for signs of anaemia, as hookworms may cause mild to severe anaemia in their host animal. In order to positively confirm the presence of hookworms in your pet’s intestinal tract, the veterinarian must take a stool sample for examination. Microscopic analysis is necessary in order to confirm the presence of hookworm eggs in the stool.
Upon a confirmed diagnosis of hookworms, it's crucial to treat your pet of the condition promptly in order to avoid serious and potentially fatal damage. A variety of deworming medications exist, but these only serve to eliminate mature hookworms that have attached to the intestinal walls already. For this reason, a single treatment program is typically insufficient to eradicate the parasite. Typically, hookworm treatments are delivered orally or by injection. Consult with your veterinarian for further advice based upon your specific situation.
Hookworms are a common parasite, affecting thousands of dogs each year. While it's impossible to eliminate your pet’s risk of contracting hookworms entirely, take care to keep your dog out of high-risk locations and situations. If you suspect that your pet may have hookworms, have him examined by a veterinarian without delay.
