By Steve Surujbally
When we began (May 11, 2008) discussing hookworms, the first fact which was projected had to do with the seriousness of a hookworm infection and the lethality of this worm. It is worth utilizing a column to reiterate the salient points associated with this subject matter. Hookworms are blood-suckers which secrete chemicals which prevent the host’s (infected dog/cat) blood from clotting.
These worms infect the animal by:
(i) Having their immature stages (larvae) actively bore through the dog’s skin;
(ii) Crossing over from the preganant mother dog into the foetal puppies while they are still in the womb.
(iii) Being ingested (via contaminated soil and/or faeces).
While travelling through the body, the immature stages (larvae) of the worm do damage to organs (eg the lungs) where, secondarily, bacterial (even viral) infections can lodge themselves.
The symptoms of a hookworm infestation are:
– Anaemia/paleness – Bloody diarrhoea
– Listlesness – Emaciation/weight loss
– Dehydration – Vomiting
The treatment would reflect the counteractive measures taken to alleviate the symptoms. For example, if the animal is dehydrated then we must administer (special) fluids. If there is a diarrhoea, the treatment must focus on stopping the diarrhoea. Similary, if there is blood loss, then we must consider blood transfusions.
Debilitation and listlessness will be treated with forced diets, vitamins and metabolic stimulatnts.
Prevention of the hookworm infection is maintained by ensuring a rigid deworming schedule, with the correct dewormers eg the Pyrantels. Last week, I wrote about the prophylactic measurers one can introduce on a general level. Today I would like to share with you a text on this subject matter, relative to control, that was put together by Drs Carlson and Giffin in a pet owners’ handbook:
“The life cycles of most canine worms are such that the possibility of reinfestation is great. To keep worms under control, you must destroy eggs or larvae before they infest the dog. This means good sanitation and maintaining clean dry quarters for your dog.