Hookworms
Wat are hookworms
They are small round worms, their size is 5 to 15 mm, they can be seen in the faeces of dogs and cats. Be careful, not seeing any does not mean that they are not contaminated.
Ancylostoma caninum, parasite responsible for hookworm disease in dogs in Europe © CDC/DPDx
Lifestyle
Adult worms live in the small intestine of dogs and cats. They have teeth that allow them to injure the wall of the intestine and feed on the animal that has been parasitized.
Mode of infection
- During breastfeeding
- By swallowing spoiled food, grass, soil, sometimes even faeces containing larvae
- Ancylostoma larvae are able to penetrate the skin of animals.
Avoid contamination
It is recommended to have your pets dewormed regularly.
Only your veterinarian can prescribe the right dewormer for your pet.
Front end of A. caninum. The hooks, similar to teeth, allow him to skin the intestinal mucosa. ©CDC
For more information
You can visit the ESCCAP website