Is your dog suffering from Hookworm infection? Wondering where your dog gets Hookworms from?
Below is a guide discussing Hookworm infection in dogs. Go through it, and you will get answers to most of your questions.
Hookworms in Dogs – Symptoms, Causes, Treatments
Hookworms are one of those intestinal parasites that live inside a dog’s digestive system. And like any other parasite, having them too is a very unpleasant feeling.
These nasty little worms can do a lot of damage to the suffering dog. That is why it is essential to treat it as soon as possible.
Where do dog Hookworms come from? Cause of Hookworm infection in dogs
Hookworm infection is one of the most common parasitical infections in dogs. The canines can get it through a number of ways, including
- Through mother’s milk
- Via mother’s placenta before birth (in utero)
- Through skin
- Or by orally consuming the worms
How long does a dog have Hookworms before you see them?
Hookworms are very tiny; thus, it is challenging to find them crawling in dogs’ poop.
However, since they live inside the dog’s digestive tract, their presence will start sending symptoms and indications.
It takes 2 to 3 weeks for hookworms to begin laying eggs. After this time frame, you will usually begin to see infection symptoms in your dog.
Symptoms of Hookworm infection in dogs
- Digestive issues
- Dehydration
- Anemia
- Physical weakness
- Lethargy
- Decrease in playfulness
- Pale gums or insides of the eyelids
- Itchy paws
- Poor growth
- A dark, tarry stool
- Increases Appetite
How long does it take to get rid of Hookworms in dogs?
Hookworm infection goes away within 1 to 4 days of treatment. If the infection is in its initial stage, it won’t take more than one dose to show improvement. However, if the infection is in its crucial stage, it may take four or more days to go away.
Treatment for Hookworm infection in dogs
Treating hookworm infection is simply ‘Deworming.’ Medicines like fenbendazole, pyrantel, and milbemycin show effectiveness in treating the infection.
Or drugs are known as anthelmintics when given orally, eliminate hookworms from the dog’s system effectively.
After treating the hookworm infection in dogs, it is necessary to repeat the medicine again in about two to four weeks.
Doing so is essential in order to kill any newly developed adult worms that were larvae during the initial treatment.
Dogs who suffered from severe anemia due to the infection might even need a blood transfusion.
Hookworms in Dogs- 5 Facts and Reasons
- Dogs can spread hookworm to other animals and even humans.
- Hookworms are one of the most harmful parasites that attack dogs.
- Hookworms live in dogs’ digestive systems and feed on their blood. likely leaves dogs with anemia.
- The best prevention for Hookworms in dogs is cleanliness and deworming medicines.
- Hookworms in some cases can also cause death in dogs.
Do dogs poop out Hookworms?
Yes, it is possible, but significantly less likely for dogs to poop out Hookworm.
Hookworms are the tiniest worms of all the parasites that infect or attack dogs. These parasites reside in the small intestine and feed on dogs’ blood from inside.
The worms grow nearly an inch and can pass out in a dog’s poop after a treatment. However, it is challenging to see them with naked eyes since Hookworms are too tiny.
That is why, even for diagnosis, a microscopic examination of a stool sample by a technique called fecal flotation has to be performed.
Expert mix the stool sample with a solution that makes the egg or worm float making the diagnosis process easier.
How contagious are Hookworms in dogs?
Can a dog pass Hookworms to another dog? Dogs cannot transmit Hookworms directly to another dog, but the infection is still highly contagious. Hookworms are a zoonotic disease, and they can easily pass from dogs to dogs, dogs to cats, and even dogs to humans.
When an infected dog releases Hookworm eggs into the environment through his stool, the spread becomes high.
Since worm eggs can live for days and months in the background, the chances of another dog swallowing them become strong.
How long do Hookworm eggs live on carpet?
A variety of parasitical dog worms can live for long in carpets, and Hookworms are one amongst them.
Hookworm eggs can live on the carpet for several months and even up to 3 years.
Especially if your dog scoots or sits on the carpet, the chances of worm eggs there are pretty high.
That is why if you have dogs or cats at home, it is essential to vacuum the carpet frequently, possibly every alternative day.
Even if your pet isn’t having any worm infection doing so will maintain the sanity and cleanliness of the environment.
How do you prevent Hookworms in dogs?
The best way to prevent Hookworms in dogs is ‘Deworming.’ From when your pup is two weeks old, start a veterinary-approved anthelmintic product in its routine.
Periodic deworming and high-level hygiene can save your dog from catching a worm infection.
Also, follow prompt disposal of dog feces in spaces other than your yard, garden, or public parks nearby.
It is since dogs generally roam in these spaces, and you would not want them to catch the infection time and again that easily.
All in all, Strict hygiene and regular deworming is the key to preventing Hookworm infection in dogs.
How much does it cost to treat Hookworms?
Treating hookworms in dogs can range from $50 to $200. This includes diagnosis and deworming medicines.
However, if the infection is crucial and has left the dog with anemia, Blood transfusions and hospitalization might become necessary.
In such conditions, the treatment can quickly become extremely expensive, ranging from $500 to $1500.
The cost of treatment may vary depending upon the dog’s size, the severity of infection, and the region you are taking treatment at.
Should I adopt a Hookworm Positive Dog?
Adopting a Heartworm Positive Dog is very noble; however, it comes with a huge set of risks and responsibilities.
While you are bringing home a dog who is already suffering from worm infection, prepare yourself for his treatment.
From giving time and energy to spending money, there goes a lot for looking after dogs with infections.
Also, maintaining hygiene with such canines is very crucial since they can likely spread the infection to other pets and even humans.
Thus, until and unless you are ready for some extra efforts, adopting a heartworm-positive dog isn’t the best decision for you.
Some FAQ’S
- For Further Reading
- Can I Get Worms From My Dog Sleeping In My Bed?
- How Do Dogs Get Whipworms?
- Live Worms In Dog Poop After Deworming?
- How Do Dogs Get Tapeworms?
- How Do Dogs Get Heartworms?
Best Deworming medicine for dogs
- Dewormer for Dogs: PetArmor 7 Way Chewable De-Wormer for dogs treats and controls 7 species of worms: 2 types of tapeworms, 2 types of roundworms, and 3 types of hookworms
- Vet Quality: These vet-quality tablets are safe for puppies 12 weeks or older, and large dogs 25.1 to 200 lbs
- Dewormer Tablets: PetArmor broad spectrum dewormer comes in chewable tablets, making it easy and convenient to give to your dog
- How to Use: Watch your dog for a few minutes after dosing to make sure the chewable dog dewomer is not rejected and the full dose of dewormer is eaten
- Recommended Use: For best results with any PetArmor dog dewormer read and follow label intructions. If you need to retreat your dog, we recommend consulting with your veterinarian and have them perform a fecal test to rule out any other issues or parasites
- Mix the daily dose with a small amount of your dog’s usual food. Your dog should eat all of the medicated food. If feeding dry dog food, it may need to be moistened to aid mixing
- Repeat the daily dose for 3 days in a row (each packet is a daily dose depending on your dog's size)
- If dog's weight is in-between suggested dosing sizes, it's safe to use the next higher size. For example a 15 pound dog should be treated with the 2gm packet
- Safe for all dogs 6 weeks and older, including pregnant dogs
- Deworming schedules may vary depending on the climate where you live and the activity of your dog
- Treats More Worms Why settle for less? Treat and control worms of greatest risk to the outdoor dog including Taenia Tapeworms, Hookworms, Roundworms, and Whipworms
- Using Fewer Drugs SAFE-GUARD treats these worms with only one compound, fenbendazole; So you can treat more with less, minimizing your dog’s chemical exposure
- Easy to feed granules that mix into food
- Safe-Guard treats against Tapeworms, Roundworms, Hookworms, and Whipworms
- For Treatment and control of roundworms hookworms whipworms and tapeworms
- Can be used on young puppies debilitated dogs pregnant females.
- Safe for puppies at least 6 weeks old
- Store at controlled room temperature (68-77°F)
- Mix the daily dose with a small amount of your dog’s usual food. Your dog should eat all of the medicated food. If feeding dry dog food, it may need to be moistened to aid mixing
- Repeat the daily dose for 3 days in a row (each packet is a daily dose depending on your dog's size)
- If dog's weight is in-between suggested dosing sizes, it's safe to use the next higher size. For example a a 15lb dog should be treated with the 2gm packet
- Safe for all dogs 6 weeks and older, including pregnant dogs
- Deworming schedules may vary depending on the climate where you live and the activity of your dog
- Safe Guard treats against Tapeworms, Roundworms, Hookworms, and Whipworms
- Easy to feed granules that mix into food
- Safe for young puppies over the age of 6 weeks, pregnant dogs, and heartworm infected dogs
- Must be administered for 3 consecutive days and is effective for 6 months
- Each package contains three 4-gram pouches
- Mix the daily dose with a small amount of your dog’s usual food; Your dog should eat all of the medicated food; If feeding dry dog food, it may need to be moistened to aid mixing
- Repeat the daily dose for 3 days in a row (each packet is a daily dose depending on your dog's size)
- If dog's weight is in between suggested dosing sizes, it's safe to use the next higher size; For example a 15 pounds dog should be treated with the 2gm packet
- Safe for all Dogs 6 weeks and older, including pregnant Dogs
- Deworming schedules may vary depending on the climate where you live and the activity of your dog
- Safe-Guard Canine Dewormer 3 Dose x 1 gramBrand New and Guaranteed for 3 MonthsSafe-Guard Canine Dewormer 3 Dose x 1 gram,
- Safe-Guard treats against Tapeworms, Roundworms, Hookworms, and Whipworms
- Easy to feed granules that mix into food
- Safe for young puppies over the age of 6 weeks, pregnant dogs, and heartworm infected dogs
- Must be administered for 3 consecutive days and is effective for 6 months
- Each package contains three 2-gram pouches
Wrapping up…
Hookworms are significant parasites in dogs, and they can cause trouble to humans as well. That is why, once you start noticing symptoms in your canine, prepare for their Heartworm infection treatment as soon as possible.
Also, always follow the prevention deworming routine to save your pet from any kind of infection. For more information about hookworms, talk to your veterinarian.