Symptoms of Hookworm Infection in Dogs

1 Hookworm Infection in Dogs

Symptoms of Hookworm Infection

Early infection shows vague signs — thinness, gut disorder, malnutrition. As it worsens: poor appetite, anemia, rough dull coat, pica, vomiting, pale conjunctiva, alternating constipation and diarrhea, and mucoid bloody stool. If hookworms invade the skin, itch, limb swelling or even ulcers and abnormal hair loss follow; the dog may die from exhaustion or severe anemia.

The Dangers of Hookworm

Hookworms seriously harm health and can kill, and the disease can spread to humans, so prevent it with regular deworming. It peaks in summer and in damp, poorly ventilated places. Keep the environment dry and airy, clean up feces promptly to stop germs and parasites, and regularly wash and disinfect the dog’s items and toys, even sunning them.

Treatment of Hookworm Disease

Because it’s contagious to humans, isolate the dog at once and take it to the vet. Common drugs are albendazole, mebendazole and levamisole, which kill hookworms; a subcutaneous 4.5% iodonitrofen injection also works. Control the dose — don’t treat at home yourself.

During treatment, give pet probiotics to restore gut flora and speed recovery. For severe anemia, treat symptomatically with oral or injected iron tonics or a transfusion. Besides care, clean feces at home, use borate to kill larvae in the environment, and keep it dry.

Note: hookworm and coccidia both cause soft stool, diarrhea, poor appetite and bloody stool, so symptoms alone can’t tell which parasite it is — a fecal exam is needed. Diagnosis is the hard part; if you suspect parasites, see the vet quickly for targeted treatment.

That’s the overview of canine hookworm. It’s uncommon; with monthly deworming it usually won’t happen, so deworm your dog every month.