Hookworms in dogs suck blood from the intestinal tract of dogs and cause gut infection. They have hook-like heads, which they use to suck blood. They can be alarming as they not only cause illness in dogs but also affect the digestive tract of humans. Hookworm in dogs can suck blood once they enter into your pet’s intestine. Usually, the larvae of hookworms live in the soil and enter the dogs’ skin or when dogs inhale the dirt. When dogs do feces, the worms are ejected out into the environment.
However, some of the worms stay inside the lining of the intestine and suck blood infecting the whole digestive tract. Although they harm a dog’s gut health, a little knowledge of prevention can help you avoid uncertain conditions.
Here are all the topics we covered in this Hookworms in Dogs guide. You can click the links below to jump to any section:
- How Would You Know Your Dog Have Got Hookworm? Possible Symptoms
- How Does A Vet Diagnose A Dog As Having Hookworms In The Intestine?
- What is the Possible Treatment to Prevent Hookworms Effects on Dogs?
- Can Hookworm in Dogs Affect Humans?
- Steps to Prevent Dogs Attracting Hookworms
- Wrapping Up
- FAQ’s
- Can I see Hookworm in a dog’s poop?
- How long does a dog live when infected with hookworms?
- Can touching my dog infect me with hookworm?
How Would You Know Your Dog Have Got Hookworm? Possible Symptoms
In their lifecycle, hookworms take 2-3 weeks to lay eggs. During this time, you may not see any symptoms. However, when they develop symptoms, you may notice gastrointestinal changes.
- Your dog may develop diarrhea, black stool, and vomiting
- In some cases, Anemia can be seen
- Weakness and lethargy
- Skin infections and pneumonia
- Inability to take part in exercise and activities
In some cases, unborn dogs may get hookworm larvae through their mothers’ placentas. If they don’t get it from the placenta, the mother’s milk can transfer hookworms to small dogs.
How Does A Vet Diagnose A Dog As Having Hookworms In The Intestine?
First, veterinarians examine the feces in a test called fecal floatation with centrifugation. In this method, the feces are mixed with a chemical and spun. After the process, they are observed under a microscope to examine the oval eggs. Large quantities of feces are necessary when testing to get optimal and authentic results.
What is the Possible Treatment?
Some medication is available to remove hookworms from a dog’s intestine. Anthelmintics are usually given orally to eliminate the worms. Since a healthy diet can support intestinal health, consider adding nutrient-rich foods like kale, which has various benefits for a dog’s intestine. The names of effective medicines are shown in the table.
| Fenbendazole |
| Moxidectin, |
| Pyrantel pamoate |
A second dose after a few weeks is necessary to remove the worms effectively. Certain conditions, like pneumonia or Anemia, can cause these drugs not to work effectively independently. In such situations, the following treatment will be required.
| IV Fluids |
|---|
| Blood Transfusions |
| Feeding Tubes |
| Additional Medications |
| High Protein and Fiber Diet |
Can Hookworm in Dogs Affect Humans?
Hookworms are also contagious to humans, just like dogs. It can happen when you walk barefoot on the ground where your pup has pooped. Sometimes you dispose of the poop of dogs without gloves from where hookworms enter from your skin to the digestive tract. Also, when your pup is diagnosed with these contagious worms, you should avoid contact with them until they recover. There are necessary precautions you can take to avoid any uncertain conditions.
- It is necessary to wear gloves while playing with your pup or disposing of their shit
- Clean and sanitize the areas where the dog has popped
- Don’t share your eating and sleeping place with dogs
- Practice good hygiene and avoid walking barefoot on contaminated soil
Steps to Prevent
Prevention is the key to every disease, whether this disease or another disease. Here are a few necessary precautions to prevent the spread of fatal parasites in a dog’s digestive tract.
- Take your puppies to visit the vet and deworm them after every two to three weeks of age
- Take care of your dog’s hygiene and clean up them properly after having a walk outside
- Clean your yard correctly and keep it free from dog feces. It is mandatory to clean and sanitize your hands after interacting with their feces
- When your pup is diagnosed with a parasitic infection, consult your vet for the correct formulation
Ensuring your dog’s overall health is crucial, and a balanced diet can play a significant role in this. For more information on maintaining a healthy diet for your dog, check out our article on best foods to help dogs express anal glands.”
Wrapping Up
Hookworms in dogs are very common nowadays. Not only canines get infected, but our cats also get parasitic infections. Proper caution is necessary when they get infected with fatal parasites. Small pups are usually more prone to getting this infection, so deworming their intestines from parasites is mandatory, though the vet recommends antiparasitic drugs.
FAQ’s
Can I see Hookworm in a dog’s poop?
Yes, you can see hookworms in your dog’s feces. They appear as thin strings in a dog’s poop. However, they cannot be seen by the naked eye sometimes, so it is better to take your pup to the vet for a proper examination.
How long does a dog live when infected with this disease?
Adult dogs can live with hookworms if they get the treatment on time. However, small puppies are more prone to getting severely infected as the worms continually suck blood.
Can touching my dog infect me with hookworm?
Yes, touching dogs can infect you. Hookworms penetrate your skin easily. When you play or touch your dog, larvae sink into the skin, causing lesions and other severe allergies in humans. So, taking necessary precautions and deworming your dog as early as possible is very important.
