What are Hookworms?
Hookworms are a widespread source of illness in dogs, most commonly contracted by eating the feces of infected animals or food contaminated with the parasite. The worms are able to invade the skin through direct contact, causing severe itching and rash. Hookworms make their way to the digestive tract and feed by latching on to the wall of the small intestine and sucking the animal’s blood. Due to their highly mobile nature, they can burrow through nearly any tissue and can be found throughout the body, causing complications and discomfort. Adult dogs may harbor worms without any symptoms, as their fully developed immune system can suppress the parasites to the degree that they are unable to cause clinical harm. However, these dogs often pass the worms on to puppies, who are more seriously affected. Evidence of hookworm infection in young dogs can include anemia, tarry stools, weakness, and weight loss. See the veterinarian immediately if your puppy presents with these signs, or you suspect your adult dog has acquired hookworms.
Hookworms are parasitic nematodes colonizing the skin and digestive tract of dogs. Often acquired by puppies, this condition poses a serious threat to the health of juvenile dogs if left untreated. Older dogs are also susceptible, and may transmit the worms to people if not identified and treated.Hookworms Average Cost
From 11 quotes ranging from $300 - $500
Average Cost
$350
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
Symptoms of Hookworms in Dogs
- Weight loss
- Increased appetite
- Anemia
- Dark, tarry stool
- Weakness and lethargy
Causes of Hookworms in Dogs
- Infection with roundworms
Types
- Ancylostoma canium (tropical)
- Ancylostoma braziliense (Florida to South Carolina)
- Uncinaria stenocephala (Canada and Northern US)
Diagnosis of Hookworms in Dogs
Owners who notice gastrointestinal distress in their puppy, weight loss or lethargic behavior should contact a veterinarian immediately. If the dog in question is older, symptoms may be intermittent or very mild. If there is any doubt, a stool sample can be taken to your veterinarians office for evaluation.
A veterinarian will place a drop of water on a sample of your dog’s feces and examine it with a microscope. The eggs will float to the surface of the water and be easily detected. Occasionally, a puppy may become seriously ill before passing any eggs. This usually occurs when the mother is infected, and passes the parasite to her offspring through her milk. Secondary infections are of concern at this young age, and the worms are usually discovered after the death of the puppy.
Treatment of Hookworms in Dogs
The primary treatment for hookworms is an antiparisitic, usually fenbendazole, moxidectin, or pyrantel. This treatment is administered orally for around 2-3 weeks. Other treatment that may be given includes IV fluids and electrolytes if the dog is weak, and iron supplements for anemia.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
Recovery of Hookworms in Dogs
If caught early, it usually takes around 3-5 days for symptoms to resolve following medication, and a few weeks to completely eliminate the worms. In more serious cases, recovery will involve correcting and monitoring the peripheral symptoms that result from the condition, such as anemia and weakness. As with all parasitic infections, prevention is the best approach - avoid allowing your pet to consume feces while on walks, and avoid the yards and homes of pets who have recently contracted hookworms. Wear gloves to clean up hookworm-contaminated materials, and see a doctor immediately if you notice skin irritation or gastrointestinal symptoms yourself. Ensure your dog is always up to date with their de-wormer and consider routine fecal exams.
Hookworms Average Cost
From 11 quotes ranging from $300 - $500
Average Cost
$350
Top
Hookworms Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Blackmouth Cur
Five Months
30 found this helpful
30 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bloody Stools, Diarrhea
I took my puppy to the vet and after he was diagnosed treated him for hookworms with Pyrantel for 3 days starting 9/18. His symptoms of bloody diarrhea improved but are back again after a week. Should I treat again? Seems he has also lost his appetite again although he is active.
Sept. 26, 2020
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
30 Recommendations
Thank you for your question. I apologize for the delay, this venue is not set up for urgent emails.
I think it would be a good idea to have a recheck for him, as that is not normal after de worming. They may want to check another fecal sample, and see what is causing that.
Oct. 15, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Pitbull
8 weeks
25 found this helpful
25 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Yellow / Brown Poop
We just got a puppy yesterday, and they said she has hookworms. We gave her the little liquid solutions they gave us. She has been pooping but i just want to know how long does it take for them to be gone and how do i know if they are gone?
July 24, 2020
Answered by Dr. Sara O. DVM
25 Recommendations
Hello,
Parasites can take a few days to clear. Most of the time your vet will have to check a fecal sample to see if they are all gone. Most parasites are microscopic. Many puppies need 2 or 3 rounds of dewormer to clear these parasites because puppies do gross things and eat their own poop and reinfect themselves. If your dog is having abnormal poop, it would be best to take a sample to your vet.
July 24, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Pit Bull
Two Months
19 found this helpful
19 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Bloody Diarrhea, Vomiting, Not Eating
My dog was diagnosed with hookworms. Her Parvo test came back negative. She was given deworming medication but she still won’t eat. She is still having bloody diarrhea and vomit is green. She barely sits up. The vet advised us she could eat chicken and rice but we can barely get her to drink water. What should we do? I read online that baby food is safe for her and also pedialyte. Please help
July 10, 2020
Answered by Jessica N. DVM
19 Recommendations
It’s sounds like your puppy is likely quite dehydrated if she is weak enough that she’s not wanting to get up very much. She likely needs hospitalization with IV fluids, IV medications to help stop the diarrhea and help her feel good enough to eat. Chicken baby food is definitely safe, but it sounds like she is ill enough that returning to your veterinarian or an emergency clinic is what she needs at this point. Good luck! I hope she feels better soon.
July 10, 2020
Was this question and answer helpful?
Bernedoodle
Wally
4 Months
15 found this helpful
15 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Coughing
Snorting
Hungry
My 4 month old Bernadoodle has had hookworms since his first vet visit at 8 weeks. He's gone through 3 full rounds of Paracure and it's still there. Our vet said she's never seen this before and suggested we get him Advantage Multi since it sounds like a severe case of hookworm. He had loose stool/diarrhea for a week but the vet gave him a shot and prescription meds so that seems to be getting better although he hasn't pooped in the two days since then. We have him on a bland diet of chicken and rice and he seems starving all the time.
We're mostly concerned because he has a cough and sometimes sounds like a pig snorting. It seems as though the Hookworms may have traveled to his lungs. The vet said they must have traveled through his tissues/muscle. He also seems to move around a lot when sleeping to find a comfortable position. I'm not sure if that's related or normal.
Does this mean it's very dangerous? He has a ton of energy and is still eating/drinking since he started taking the pills for the diarrhea but I'm concerned about it spreading.
Thanks!
July 26, 2018
15 Recommendations
Only certain types of parasitic worms will migrate to the lungs in dogs (not all worms migrate), however Panacur (fenbendazole) is a good all round treatment for all types of lungworm which affect dogs. Without examining Wally I cannot confirm whether lungworms are the cause of the coughing or which types of eggs are found on a faecal floatation test. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
www.msdvetmanual.com/respiratory-system/lungworm-infection/overview-of-lungworm-infection
www.msdvetmanual.com/dog-owners/lung-and-airway-disorders-of-dogs/lungworm-infection-in-dogs
July 27, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Walker Beagle Mix
Rosie
1 Day
11 found this helpful
11 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Bleeding
I am giving Rosie Paracure, tylan and some probiotics for treatment for Diarrhea and Hookworms and it has been more then 4 weeks of medications and still has mild diarrhea and little bleeding is there any way to get rid of the Hookworms that is still present in Rosie
July 13, 2018
11 Recommendations
You should have a faecal sample checked by your Veterinarian to determine whether there are still eggs present in the faeces and determine if a different course of treatment is needed; possibly the use of a different anthelmintic may be indicated if worms are still present. Regard Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 13, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
German Shepherd
Koa
1 Year
1 found this helpful
1 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea Upon Diagnosis, Now Fine
We recently adopted a 1 yr old GSD mix, turns out she has hookworms. She finished her 2nd round of 3 day Panacur on 2/6. How long should I wait to bring in a new fecal sample for retesting?
Hookworms Average Cost
From 11 quotes ranging from $300 - $500
Average Cost
$350
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
