How to Treat Soil with Hookworms for Dogs
Hookworm infections are often simple to treat in dogs, yet can be difficult in the environment. According to PetEducation.com, hookworms can live in a cool, moist soil for several weeks and re-infect animals if their larvae is ingested or the adults penetrate the dog’s body through the skin. Fortunately, it is possible to prevent infection and treat your hookworm-contaminated soil.
Instructions
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Clean up any dog feces in the yard daily. Adult hookworms and their eggs can pass through the canine into their feces. If the infected stool is left on the soil, the worms can continue to infect the ground and possibly your dog.
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Apply several treatments of salt brine or borax to the soil, suggests the University of Florida IFAS Extension. Make salt brine by adding 1 1/2 lbs. of salt to a gallon of water. One gallon of water is enough to treat a square foot of your yard.
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Place sodium borate on your soil if vegetation is absent, suggests PetEducation.com. Apply sodium borate at the rate of 10 lbs. per 100 square feet. Sodium borate will kill vegetation along with the hookworms; therefore, only apply this substance to your soil if vegetation is not present or if you do not mind killing what is there.
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Tips & Warnings
You must administer veterinarian-prescribed dewormers in order to eliminate the hookworms in your dog’s body.
Keep your dog on a heartworm preventative that also protects against hookworms all year long to prevent future infestation.
Do not allow any other pets to come in contact with contaminated soil, or infection is possible.
Hookworms can infect humans, as well, through skin penetration and ingestion of eggs. Always wear gloves when handling contaminated dog stool, as well as shoes when walking in the soil.
References
- Photo Credit dirt road image by Tomasz Plawski from Fotolia.com
