Dog Hookworm Symptoms and Canine Hookworm Treatment

Be mindful of the dog hookworm symptoms and also the relevant hookworm treatment.

Dog hookworm symptoms and the resultant health risks.
Adult dog hookworms use their “teeth” to attach to the lining of the dog's small intestine, and suck large amounts of blood.

This can lead to intestinal distress with dog hookworm symptoms like diarrhea, black stools, weight loss, failure to grow properly, white gums, severe blood loss, anemia, and even death.

When larvae enter through the skin opening, the dog may experience severe itching and discomfort.

A dog who survives an initial attack by hookworms may develop a degree of immunity or tolerance. In this case, the dog may appear normal, even though worms may be present, and eggs may be found by a veterinarian conducting a fecal examination.

Health risk to people: zoonosis

Dog hookworm infections are zoonotic – and can therefore be transmitted to human beings.

People can be infected by eating hookworm eggs and larvae that are shed in the environment.

Hookworm larvae can also enter the body through the skin. This can occur in sand boxes, beaches and play or work areas where people might come into contact with hookworm larvae.

As they move through the skin, hookworm larvae can cause severe itching and painful, tunnel-like rashes. This is called cutaneous larva migrans, also known as plumber's itch or creeping eruption.

Until recently, it was believed that canine hookworms did not to pose a zoonotic threat to humans. There have, however, been confirmed cases of enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine) from hookworm infections in young children.

Dog hookworm treatment

A dog infected with hookworms should be treated with a fast-acting, highly effective and safe dewormer, such as fenbendazole. This should be followed by a second treatment, two weeks later.

In severe cases, blood transfusions and supportive therapy may be required.