Hookworms, Roundworms and Tapeworms in Dogs

Hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms are all found in North America.

Hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms are all invasive species of worms that can infect domestic and wild canines. They are all found in North America and infect dogs in similar ways. All inhabit the dog's pulmonary and digestive systems and will grow from the larval stage to their adult form inside the dog. While tapeworms are not too dangerous, hookworms and roundworms can be fatal if not treated.

Hookworms

There are three types of hookworms that can infect dogs--Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma braziliense and Uncinaria stenocephala. These worms have teeth-like protrusions with which they attach themselves to the dog's intestinal wall and feed on the animal's blood. A dog can become infected via ingestion of contaminated food and water, through larvae entering lesions in the skin and through suckling the milk of an infected maternal dog.

Symptoms and Treatment of Hookworms

Hookworms can cause anemia, a condition exhibited by weakness in the dog, a pale color on the gums, hard, tarry stools, a dull lusterless coat and, in severe cases, excessive diarrhea and vomiting. Unless it is treated, an infestation of hookworms can cause pneumonia, extreme weight loss and eventually death. Most deworming treatments will kill hookworms along with other worm infections. However, in common with treatments for tapeworms and roundworms, treatments only kill adult worms, so two or more treatments are required to ensure the infestation is cleared.

Roundworms

Two species of roundworm attack dogs--Toxocara canis and Toxascaris leonina. They infect dogs and puppies via a number of ways. This can be through contact with environmental objects that contain the eggs of the worm, such as grooming tools; ingestion of an animal carrying the worms; being nursed by an infected maternal dog; or infected in utero if the mother is carrying the worms. Roundworm larvae in dogs develop in the liver before migrating to the lungs and throat, where they mature, reaching lengths of seven inches.

Symptoms and Treatment of Roundworms

A dog infected with roundworms will first exhibit the symptoms of diarrhea and vomiting, sometimes emitting complete worms. Infected dogs will also lose weight as the worms eat their food. Unless the infection is treated, the infected dog will develop pneumonia from which it can die. Infection can be treated with deworming products that anesthetize the worm so that it passes through the digestive system of the dog. The best treatment is prevention and dogs and puppies should be treated with antiworming medication regularly, as directed by a veterinarian.

Tapeworms

The most common species of tapeworm that infects dogs is Dipylidium caninum. It is a worm that can reach lengths of up to eight inches that lives in the small intestine of the dog, attaching itself to the intestinal wall with hooked mouth parts. A dog becomes infected when it ingests an animal that is host to the tapeworm eggs. This can be a prey animal but is usually a flea, which the dog may ingest when licking itself.

Symptoms and Treatment of Tapeworms

The tapeworm is not too much of a problem for a dog, causing little more than discomfort. An infected dog will often drag its backside across the ground to try and ease irritation from the worm. Worms can often be found in the dog's feces. If the infection is severe, the dog can suffer weight loss and vomiting. Regular flea treatment is essential to prevent infection. An infected animal can be given drugs orally that kill the worms, which then pass out of the dog in its stool.

References

• Pet Education: Hookworms In Dogs
• Marvistavet: Roundworms In Dogs And Puppies
• Snik Snak: Tapeworms In Dogs