Hookworm (Ancylostoma caninum) is a zoonotic parasite meaning they are transmittable to humans. According to the Companion Animal Parasite Counsel, the hookworm gets its name because of the anterior ends of both the male and female hookworm are bent giving them a fishing hook appearance. Hookworm is a parasite worm that lives in the digestive system of a dog latching onto and sucking blood from the intestinal wall . Most of the human hookworms species in the U.S. remain in the skin causing inflammation.
The hookworm is transferred through larvae. Larvae, which live in the soil, penetrate the skin of animals or humans who walk across a hookworm contaminated area. Dogs also pick up hookworm by eating infected mammals or puppies from their mother through nursing.
The symptoms of hookworm include chronic weight loss and diarrhea in adult dogs and sometimes fatal blood loss especially in puppies. Other symptoms that may present are weakness, lethargy, pale gums, and tarry stools.
Hookworm is diagnosed through fecal exams. Hookworm can be prevented through regular de-worming of puppies, annual or twice yearly fecal exams, promptly cleaning up feces in the yard, and mostly monthly heart worm prevention also protects against hookworm.
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