By Dial A Vet Veterinary Team
Hookworms are small intestinal worms that latch onto the gut wall and feed on blood. In an adult dog a light infection may cause no obvious signs, but in a young puppy a heavy burden can cause life-threatening anaemia within weeks of birth. Hookworms are especially common in the warm, humid parts of Australia, including Queensland and the Northern Territory, and their larvae can also burrow into human skin. Regular worming and prompt poo pick-up go a long way towards protecting both dogs and people.
Key takeaways
- Hookworms suck blood from the intestinal lining and can cause anaemia, black or bloody diarrhoea and weight loss.
- Puppies can be infected through their mother's milk and become very sick very quickly.
- Dogs pick up larvae by swallowing them from contaminated soil or through the skin, often the paws.
- Pale gums, weakness or collapse in a puppy is an emergency.
- Hookworm larvae can cause itchy skin tracks in people (cutaneous larva migrans), so hygiene matters.
The hookworms that affect Australian dogs
Ancylostoma caninum is the most damaging species. It is a heavy blood feeder, more common in warmer northern regions, and can pass to puppies through milk. Uncinaria stenocephala is more common in cooler southern areas. It feeds less on blood but can still cause diarrhoea, poor condition and skin irritation on the feet.
Adult worms lay eggs that pass in faeces. In warm, moist soil the eggs hatch and develop into infective larvae within days. Dogs become infected by swallowing larvae, by larvae penetrating the skin, by eating infected prey, or, for puppies, through milk.
Signs of hookworm infection
- Pale gums from blood loss
- Weakness, tiredness and reduced exercise tolerance
- Diarrhoea, which may be dark, tarry or contain fresh blood
- Weight loss or poor growth despite eating
- Dull, dry coat
- Red, itchy skin between the toes or on the feet
- Coughing in some dogs while larvae migrate through the lungs
Unlike roundworms and tapeworm segments, hookworms are tiny and rarely seen in faeces. Many infected adult dogs look healthy, which is why routine prevention is important.
When to see a vet
Emergency now: a puppy or dog with white or very pale gums, collapse, rapid breathing, cold extremities, or black, tarry diarrhoea with weakness. Severe anaemia can be fatal and some puppies need a blood transfusion.
Same day: bloody or dark diarrhoea, a puppy that is not gaining weight or is lethargic, or an older dog that seems weak and pale.
Book a visit: a bright adult dog with soft stools, itchy feet or weight loss, or if you are behind on worming and live in a high-risk area.
What to do
- Collect a fresh faecal sample in a clean container for your vet.
- Pick up and bin your dog's poo promptly, ideally daily.
- Keep other dogs, especially puppies, away from the area where the affected dog toilets.
- Wear gloves and wash your hands after handling poo or soil, and wear shoes in areas where dogs toilet.
- Speak to your vet before giving any worming product to a sick or very young puppy.
How vets diagnose and treat hookworm
Hookworm is usually diagnosed by finding eggs on a faecal flotation test. Very young puppies can be sick before eggs appear in their poo, so vets may treat based on signs alone. Blood tests can show how anaemic a dog is.
Treatment involves a vet-recommended worming product that is effective against hookworms, usually repeated to catch worms that were still developing during the first treatment. Anaemic dogs may also need iron-rich nutrition, fluids, hospital care or a transfusion. Your vet will advise on follow-up faecal tests and on treating the mother and littermates if puppies are involved.
Prevention
- Follow a regular worming program that covers hookworm. Many monthly combination parasite products include it. Our guide to dewormers for dogs explains the different product types.
- Work with your vet on worming pregnant and nursing bitches, and start puppies early.
- Remove faeces daily from yards and runs.
- Keep kennel areas dry. Concrete or other hard surfaces that can be cleaned are easier to manage than soil.
- Avoid letting dogs dig or lie in heavily contaminated soil.
Hookworms and people
Dog hookworm larvae can penetrate human skin, especially on bare feet or when lying on sand or soil. This causes cutaneous larva migrans, an itchy, red, winding track in the skin. In Queensland, Ancylostoma caninum has also been linked to a form of gut inflammation in people. If you notice an unusual itchy skin track or ongoing abdominal symptoms, see your GP and mention contact with dogs.
FAQ
Can I see hookworms in my dog's poo?
Rarely. They are small and stay attached to the gut lining. A faecal test is needed to confirm infection.
Are indoor dogs at risk?
Lower risk, but any dog that goes outside to toilet or visits parks and beaches can be exposed.
How quickly can puppies get sick?
Puppies infected through milk can become seriously anaemic within the first few weeks of life.
Does my dog's heartworm product cover hookworm?
Some combination products do and some do not. Check the label and ask your vet.
Talk with a vet
If you are concerned about hookworm or want help choosing a worming plan, a Dial A Vet consult is a convenient place to start. A pale, weak or collapsed puppy is an emergency and needs to be seen by an in-person emergency vet straight away.
References
- Companion Animal Parasite Council (CAPC): Hookworms
- Merck Veterinary Manual: Hookworms in Small Animals
- Tropical Council for Companion Animal Parasites (TroCCAP): Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and control of canine endoparasites in the tropics
- MSD Manual Consumer Version: Cutaneous Larva Migrans
Disclaimer: Educational only. This page does not replace an examination or advice from your own veterinarian. Always follow the label and your vet's advice when using parasite products.
