Wormopedia - Hookworms

Dogs, cats and (very occasionally) humans can be infected with hookworm if they tread on contaminated soil and the larvae burrow into the skin. Although hookworm is quite rare in the UK, it is prevalent on the continent so do discuss it with your vet if you are planning on travelling abroad with your pet.

- AT RISK -

Hookworms attach (or hook) themselves to the animals intestine and feed on their blood.

Symptoms

If caught in the UK hookworm can be symptomless in pets, however some will suffer from bloody diarrhoea, weight loss and could develop anaemia if the infection is heavy.

Lifecycle...

Larvae migrate via lungs to the intestine and mature into adult

Adult worms lay eggs in small intestine

Infective larvae penetrate skin or ingested by dog directly or with transport host

Transmission to offspring: transmammary

Larvae can be ingested by transport host

Non-embryonated eggs pass in faeces

Eggs embryonate and hatch; larvae undergo two molts to infective third-stage larvae

Larvae migrate in the skin

Humans can be infected by larvae penetrating the skin

Infection stages

The incubation period for hookworm is 2-3 weeks – that's the time lapse between your pet ingesting the parasite, and it starting to affect your pet's health.

Risk to humans

Humans can pick up hookworm by walking barefoot on contaminated sand or soil. If infected, hookworm can cause skin disease and/or intestinal problems.

Spread in Europe

Hookworm can be found in northern Europe but is more prevalent in the south.

How to get rid of them

Vet strength wormers are effective at getting rid of hookworm in both cats and dogs. However, if you are planning on travelling abroad it is particularly important that you protect your pet by worming beforehand. Check out our travelling abroad advice »