Hookworms

Hookworms are intestinal parasites that live in the digestive system of your dog (or cat).  The hookworm attaches to the lining of the intestinal wall and feeds on your dog’s blood. Its eggs are ejected into the digestive tract and pass into the environment through your dog’s feces.

Larvae (young hookworms) that hatch from hookworm eggs live in the soil. These larvae can infect your dog simply through contact and penetration of the skin and through the dog eating the larvae when they ingest dirt or during their routine licking (cleaning).

If your pet is positive for hookworm infection treatment is a specific intestinal dewormer, that must be repeated a couple of times.  Most monthly heartworm preventatives include a drug to prevent to treat and prevent infections so additional deworming medications are usually not required if the dog is reliably treated with a heartworm preventive. Fecal examinations should be conducted 2 to 4 times during the first year of life and 1 to 2 times per year in adults. Nursing mothers should be treated along with their puppies.

HOOKWORMS CAN BE GIVEN TO PEOPLE! Most likely to occur when walking barefoot on the beach, working in the garden or other areas where pets may deposit feces.

Hookworms are capable of surviving in the environment for a few months, typically a frost will kill them.