Medication for Hookworm in Dogs
Canine hookworm is a very common parasite that can cause severe illness in dogs and can even prove fatal for some. Infestation can be especially dangerous for puppies. Thankfully, there are many medications to treat pets for this parasite. Hookworm medications are easily administered, and many also treat for roundworm or other intestinal worms.
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Types
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Many medicines that treat dogs for other intestinal worms also treat hookworm. These include pyrantel pamoate (an ingredient in in Heartguard Plus and Iverhart Plus) and fenbendazole (Panacur and Safe-Guard).
Features
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Most hookworm medicines for dogs are administered orally--either as powders or liquids mixed in with the dogs food or as flavored chewable tablets.
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Effects
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Hookworm medicines kill the hookworms present in the intestines. Since additional hookworms may be migrating through the body at that time, another treatment is usually given a few weeks later.
Warning
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Have a veterinarian evaluate a dog or puppy that seems ill before treating them for hookworms. Additional medical care (blood tests for anemia, for example) may be needed if infestations are very bad.
Consideration
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Puppies are especially susceptible to fatal anemia from hookworm infestation.
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