Dog Hookworm - How it Affects Puppies and Modes of Treatment

Hookworms are relatively more dangerous than other types of worms in dogs. Left untreated, hookworms can lead to death. This is particularly true for young puppies.
Hookworms are ravenous creatures that suck blood by sticking themselves to the intestinal walls of the host.
The hookworm larvae can even burrow into the skin of the human foot or leg causing itchy lesions. Hookworms are not so common among the feline parasites that infect cats, but if they do infect a cat, they can be equally problematic for cats, dogs and humans alike.
The most common species of hookworm that infects puppies is Ancylostoma caninum. The natural habitat of this species is warm and humid areas in countryside but they are known to survive almost anywhere. Although the most common mode of transmission to puppies is through mother’s milk, hookworms can also penetrate the skin and get into a puppy’s body. Once inside, they cling to the intestinal walls with their hooks, a characteristic which gives them their name.

Symptoms of worms in dogs are mostly general in nature but hookworms being voracious blood suckers can drain energy in puppies to a much larger extent than in adult dogs. Symptoms of hookworms in puppies depend upon the severity of the infection. The most common symptoms of hookworm infestation in puppies include anemia in severe cases, disturbance in bowel movement and diminished vitality. Hookworms can affect a young dog to such an extent that even mild infection causes a puppy to curl up and sleep for long hours, shunning play.
Most other worms in dogs can be seen live in dog feces. Unlike other types of worms, hookworms are extremely small and cannot be viewed with a naked eye. This physical trait of a hookworm means that a microscopic examination is the only method to confirm the prevalence of hookworms. It is imperative that you initiate preventive treatment for hookworms in puppies as soon as they are 2 weeks old. For effective removal of hookworms the treatment has to be repeated after every two weeks till the puppy is two months old. In a high risk environment the same treatment should be continued at weekly intervals for another month and then at monthly intervals till the dog is six months old. Thereafter medication for preventing heartworm can be used which is effective for roundworms, hookworms and dog tapeworm as well.
Nursing mother should be treated along with puppies to ensure that worms do not continue to pass the worm through lactation.

Despite proper treatment it may be necessary to provide supportive care in the shape of a high protein diet and iron supplements to make up for the blood loss. In extremely severe cases a blood transfusion may also be required. Considering the treatment protocol it is better to take preventive measures. Regular cleaning of the environment and periodic checkups can go a long way to prevent and control infection. Since hookworms can also penetrate human skin, it is advised that children be kept away from infected puppies. Walking barefoot in areas where the dogs defecate like the backyard or the garden can be dangerous for adults also.