Hookworms are tiny parasites about 3 mm in length that colonize the intestines of dogs and cats. Despite being so small, they suck a lot of blood and can reproduce in large quantities. For this reason, it is important to fix the problem before it causes a severe form of anemia that can endanger the life of your furry friend.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Identifying Hookworms
Step 1. Look for signs that indicate itchy paws
In a contaminated environment, the first sign of infection could be itchy paws, as the larvae move off the ground and migrate through the skin to infect the dog, causing inflammation and irritation.
Step 2. Look for bouts of diarrhea
In adult dogs, the most common symptom is diarrhea with traces of blood. It is usually accompanied by abdominal cramps and obvious signs of intestinal discomfort.
- Diarrhea can indicate a number of health problems. If it is frequent, you should take the dog to the vet.
- In adults, hookworms attach themselves to the walls of the small intestine and secrete a substance that inhibits blood clotting. In other words, blood loss occurs not only when the hookworm feeds, but also when it comes off. This is why dog droppings are usually bloody.
Step 3. Look for signs of anemia
There is a risk that the dog will become anemic if he loses a significant amount of blood. To understand if this phenomenon is taking place, check the gums: they should be pink. If they are pale, gray or white, it indicates anemia.
Step 4. Pay attention if he is tired and exhausted
If the anemia is not detected and treated, the blood thins so much that the heart begins to beat fast and the dog feels weak. Hence, it could easily collapse due to minimal effort.
Breathing often also becomes rapid and superficial and, unless appropriate care is taken, the animal is in danger of dying
Step 5. Look for symptoms in puppies
Puppies can become infected even before giving birth through the mother's placenta and later through breastfeeding. Often, those born with hookworms fail to develop, grow poorly and have dull, dull coat.
- They may be prone to persistent diarrhea and die from extensive blood and fluid losses.
- Since a puppy's body is very delicate, it is important to take him to the vet at the first sign of any disease. This decision can make the difference between life and death.
Part 2 of 3: Treat Following Your Veterinarian's Directions
Step 1. Take your dog to the vet if you suspect that he has contracted hookworms
A hookworm infection needs to be treated by the vet. He will be able to assess whether the animal is infected, what is the severity and the best treatment.
Step 2. Bring a stool sample
Hookworms are so small that it is difficult to see them with the naked eye. Then, your vet can diagnose an infection by examining a stool sample under a microscope. The operation will be quicker if you get it for him before the visit.
- When you call your vet to schedule an appointment, ask him if you need to bring a sample if he doesn't remember it.
- It takes about two to three weeks for the adult hookworm to start producing eggs (which are detected in the stool), so it is possible to get a false negative if tests are done as soon as the dog has contracted an infection.
Step 3. Follow the veterinarian's treatment recommendations
Treatment is based on the elimination of adult worms by administering an anthelmintic, which is an antiparasitic drug. Therapy must be repeated after two weeks in order to kill all the worms once the larvae hatch.
- As effective as they are, anthelmintics do not suppress larvae. Thus, two or three treatments are required within a couple of weeks to be able to kill the larvae present during the first course of treatment.
- Make sure the dog is weighed accurately and that the dosage is established according to the directions provided by the pharmaceutical company.
Step 4. Prevent a relapse
To prevent further infection, make sure the environment is as clean as possible. Unfortunately, there is no product formulated for the elimination of ground-dwelling larvae, so the best preventative measure is to collect the manure immediately.
For example, you should clean concrete surfaces daily with diluted bleach and, if possible, vacuum all the upholstery in the house and wash it
Part 3 of 3: Preventing Hookworm Infections
Step 1. Learn about the ways your dog becomes infected
To reduce the risk of contracting these parasites, you need to understand how it could become infected. In adults there are two ways:
- They can contract hookworms through contact and, therefore, the ingestion of infected feces, for example when they step on the droppings and lick their paws.
- Alternatively, the worms can penetrate the bloodstream percutaneously. The likelihood is greater if the dog lives in a humid environment that undermines the health of the skin of the paws, weakening it.
Step 2. Give him heartworm treatment to prevent hookworm infections
Most monthly heartworm therapies also include a hookworm medication. Therefore, keep in mind that it is very important to give it to him every month. The effective ones are:
- Ivermectin + pirantel: Cardotek 30 Plus.
- Pirantel + praziquantel: Febantel.
- Milbemycin: Sentinel and Interceptor.
- Milbemycin + lufenuron: Sentinel.
- Imidacloprid + moxidectin: Advocate Spot On.
- Fenbendazole: Panacur and SafeGuard.
Step 3. Care for the newborn puppies
You should give hookworm preventive medication at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. This is important because these parasites are common in newborn puppies.
- Make sure you only use medications that are suitable for puppies, such as fenbendazole.
- By repeating the therapy, you will ensure that any larvae that are not sensitive to the drug die once hatched.
Step 4. Do not neglect the bitches that have given birth
Females who have given birth to infected pups need to be treated for hookworm before they become pregnant again. Also, by giving a pregnant female fenbendazole by mouth from day 40 of her pregnancy to two days after giving birth, you will prevent her from transmitting the larvae through the placenta and milk. The dose is 25 mg / kg orally via food, once daily.
Step 5. Consider your risk factors
The dogs most at risk of hookworms are those who live in warm and humid environments as the chance of survival of these worms outside the body is higher in similar climatic conditions. Furthermore, even dogs kept in unsanitary conditions, which favor contact with other dogs' droppings, are more prone to contagion.
