Hookworms (Ancylostoma)
Hookworms (Ancylostoma)
There are three species of hookworms that afflict dogs. These parasites are
most prevalent in areas of high temperature and humidity (such as the southern United States), where conditions are favorable for the rapid development
and spread of larvae.
Hookworms are small, thin worms about one-quarter to one-half inch (.6
to 1.3 cm) long. They fasten their mouth parts onto the mucosa of the small
intestines and suck blood and tissue fluids from the host. This can result in
severe blood loss and malnutrition.
There are five routes by which puppies (and adult dogs) can acquire the
infection:
• Migration through the placenta in utero
• Ingesting larvae in mother’s milk
58 • DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
• Ingesting larvae in the soil
• Direct penetration of the skin (usually through the pads of the feet)
• Ingesting an intermediate host
The majority of serious hookworm infestations in puppies occur during the
first two months of life and are acquired through the mother’s milk. Signs of
illness include bloody, wine-dark, or tar-black diarrhea. Progressive blood loss
may cause these puppies to rapidly sicken and die. Intensive veterinary management is required.
In adult dogs, the most common routes of infection are ingesting larvae
and larvae migrating through the skin. Some larvae encyst in tissues, while
others migrate through the lungs to the intestines, where they mature into
adults. In two to three weeks the dog begins to pass eggs in her feces. These
eggs incubate in the soil. Under proper conditions, the eggs hatch in 48 hours
and release larvae that are infective in five to seven days.
Dogs with chronic hookworms often have no symptoms. When symptoms
do occur, they include tarry or bloody diarrhea, pale mucous membranes
caused by anemia, weight loss and emaciation, and progressive weakness.
Symptoms can appear as early as 10 days after exposure. The diagnosis is
made by finding eggs in the feces. Because eggs do not appear in the feces for
two to three weeks, however, there may be an interval during which a stool
examination is negative and the diagnosis must be made on the basis of clinical signs.
Most dogs who recover from hookworms become carriers via larvae encysted
in their tissues. During periods of stress or illness, these larvae are released and a
new outbreak of bloody diarrhea occurs as worms appear in the intestines.
Treatment: A number of dewormers are highly effective in treating hookworms. They include Nemex, Panacur, Drontal Plus, Telmintic, and Vercom
Paste. Treatment should be repeated in one to two weeks, because the initial
deworming activates encysted larvae and causes a new crop of adult worms to
appear in 10 to 12 days. A follow-up fecal examination is recommended to be
sure all parasites have been removed.
Prevention: Good sanitation and periodic stool checks with appropriate
deworming will prevent the serious consequences of hookworms. In addition,
heartworm preventives such as Interceptor are also effective against hookworms, ascarids, and whipworms. Heartgard Plus controls hookworms and
ascarids but not whipworms.
Public health considerations: An itchy disease in humans called cutaneous larvae migrans (creeping eruption) is caused by the hookworm A.
brasiliense. Larvae present in the soil penetrate the skin, causing lumps and
streaks beneath the skin. The condition usually clears up on its own.
There are three species of hookworms that afflict dogs. These parasites are
most prevalent in areas of high temperature and humidity (such as the southern United States), where conditions are favorable for the rapid development
and spread of larvae.
Hookworms are small, thin worms about one-quarter to one-half inch (.6
to 1.3 cm) long. They fasten their mouth parts onto the mucosa of the small
intestines and suck blood and tissue fluids from the host. This can result in
severe blood loss and malnutrition.
There are five routes by which puppies (and adult dogs) can acquire the
infection:
• Migration through the placenta in utero
• Ingesting larvae in mother’s milk
58 • DOG OWNER’S HOME VETERINARY HANDBOOK
• Ingesting larvae in the soil
• Direct penetration of the skin (usually through the pads of the feet)
• Ingesting an intermediate host
The majority of serious hookworm infestations in puppies occur during the
first two months of life and are acquired through the mother’s milk. Signs of
illness include bloody, wine-dark, or tar-black diarrhea. Progressive blood loss
may cause these puppies to rapidly sicken and die. Intensive veterinary management is required.
In adult dogs, the most common routes of infection are ingesting larvae
and larvae migrating through the skin. Some larvae encyst in tissues, while
others migrate through the lungs to the intestines, where they mature into
adults. In two to three weeks the dog begins to pass eggs in her feces. These
eggs incubate in the soil. Under proper conditions, the eggs hatch in 48 hours
and release larvae that are infective in five to seven days.
Dogs with chronic hookworms often have no symptoms. When symptoms
do occur, they include tarry or bloody diarrhea, pale mucous membranes
caused by anemia, weight loss and emaciation, and progressive weakness.
Symptoms can appear as early as 10 days after exposure. The diagnosis is
made by finding eggs in the feces. Because eggs do not appear in the feces for
two to three weeks, however, there may be an interval during which a stool
examination is negative and the diagnosis must be made on the basis of clinical signs.
Most dogs who recover from hookworms become carriers via larvae encysted
in their tissues. During periods of stress or illness, these larvae are released and a
new outbreak of bloody diarrhea occurs as worms appear in the intestines.
Treatment: A number of dewormers are highly effective in treating hookworms. They include Nemex, Panacur, Drontal Plus, Telmintic, and Vercom
Paste. Treatment should be repeated in one to two weeks, because the initial
deworming activates encysted larvae and causes a new crop of adult worms to
appear in 10 to 12 days. A follow-up fecal examination is recommended to be
sure all parasites have been removed.
Prevention: Good sanitation and periodic stool checks with appropriate
deworming will prevent the serious consequences of hookworms. In addition,
heartworm preventives such as Interceptor are also effective against hookworms, ascarids, and whipworms. Heartgard Plus controls hookworms and
ascarids but not whipworms.
Public health considerations: An itchy disease in humans called cutaneous larvae migrans (creeping eruption) is caused by the hookworm A.
brasiliense. Larvae present in the soil penetrate the skin, causing lumps and
streaks beneath the skin. The condition usually clears up on its own.
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