This is concerning, as hookworms can lead to severe anemia in puppies, which can be fatal. The larvae infect the puppies either in the uterus or through the bitch’s milk when the puppies nurse. Mothers pass lots of good traits on to their pups. They can also ingest larvae by grooming their paws or by drinking contaminated water, and larvae can burrow into the skin of unsuspecting dogs if the dog lies on contaminated soil. There are four ways dogs can get this unpleasant parasite:ĭogs accidentally ingest the larvae by sniffing or eating contaminated soil or feces. Centers For Disease Control and Prevention/Wikimedia What Causes Hookworms in Dogs? The larvae then migrate through the dog’s body until they come to the intestine, where they mature into adults and lay eggs, perpetuating the cycle. The larvae can survive for weeks or even months before infecting your dog. The microscopic eggs pass through the feces, where they hatch into larvae and contaminate the environment. The life cycle of the hookworm has three stages: egg, larvae, and adult. Despite their small size, only 3 millimeters in length, this feeding practice can lead to severe anemia. They are named for their hook-like mouthpieces, which they use to attach themselves to the intestinal wall and to feed off of the tiny blood vessels in the intestinal lining. Hookworms in dogs, scientifically known as “Ancylostoma caninum” or “Ancylostoma braziliense ,” are intestinal parasites that literally hook themselves into the lining of your dog’s intestines.
#Hookworms in humans diagnosis how to#
These nasty little worms can do a lot of damage to your dog, which is why it is important for owners to be aware of the symptoms of hookworms in dogs and how to treat them. Parasites are unpleasant, and hookworms are no exception.