Dogs and puppies can bring a lot of joy, fun and happiness into the lives of those around them. However, they can also bring a few unpleasant things as well, such as hookworms. Theses invasive parasites can threaten the life of your furry friend and can also infect you. With simple treatments and preventatives, you can get rid of those pesky worms and get back to enjoying your pet.
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The Facts
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Hookworms are blood-sucking parasites that live in the small intestines of its host. They are one of the most common parasites found in dogs and cats and are especially found in puppies and kittens. Animals can get hookworms from nursing off of infected dogs, ingesting larvae from contaminated water or soil, eating animals that have hookworms and through larvae penetrating their skin. Hookworms can attach themselves to an animal's intestinal wall and feed off of its blood. These worms contain an anti-coagulant in their saliva that prevents their host's blood from clotting at the site in which the hookworm attaches. Therefore, if the hookworm finds another site from which to feed, its host can continue to bleed. Because of this, hookworms can cause anemia.
Signs and Symptoms
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Hookworm infestation can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including diarrhea; black, tarry stool; vomiting; weight loss and loss of appetite. If your animal has become anemic because of the infestation, her mucous membranes, such as her gums, may appear pale. In addition, she may be weak, have dry skin and hair and have a poor body condition. If she is a puppy, her growth may be stunted. If the infection is severe, the worms may migrate to the animal's lungs and cause your pet to cough.
Diagnosis
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If you suspect your dog has hookworms, take her, along with a sample of her stool, to your veterinarian. The doctor will look at the sample under a microscope and try to identify the hookworm eggs. Additionally, your veterinarian may also run a complete blood count on your pet if he suspects anemia. While many other types of worms appear in infected animals' stool, it is unlikely that you will see any hookworms in your pet's stool because of their small size and inability to firmly attach to intestinal walls.
Treatment and Prevention
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There are many medications that will eliminate hookworms from your pet, such as ivermectin, pyrantel pamoate, praziquantel and fenbendazole. They should only be given under a veterinarian's care. You will also need to treat the environment in which your pet spends time, as hookworms can stay there for several weeks. Most heartworm preventatives will also prevent hookworms. It is always a good idea to have your pet's stool checked a few times a year for worms.
Zoonosis
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It is possible for humans to become infected with hookworms. Hookworms can penetrate through the skin, commonly on bare feet, and migrate through, causing red, itchy lesions to appear. The larvae usually die within several weeks and the skin goes back to its normal state. In severe cases, the worms can enter the lungs and deeper tissue. People can also contract hookworms by ingesting contaminated stool.
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