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Treatment

To get rid of the worms, a medication that will kill them or expel them will be prescribed. Sometimes that is all that is required. However, nutritional and iron supplementation may be necessary also. Puppies should be put on the worm medication at two weeks of age and continue until weaned and treated monthly after weaning to be sure that all larvae are eliminated.

With pregnant females, treatment should begin two weeks after breeding and continue for two to four weeks after the puppies are born to get rid of possible worms in the intestine, and to protect the puppies.

In severe cases, the dog (or puppy) will need to be hospitalized for fluid therapy, blood transfusion, and supplemental oxygen, depending on the severity of the anemia and the condition of the animal. Be aware, there is a possibility of sudden death even with treatment.

Prevention

The environment where your dogs roam must be clean. Pay particular attention to the accumulation of water in a container, a low-lying area, or even in a pond. If you see the symptoms listed above in your pet, take a sample of fecal matter to your veterinarian.

There are no inoculations for this parasitic infestation, so the only way you can protect your pet is by being observant and acting quickly. And though hookworm cases are rare in humans, the parasites can penetrate human skin, so care must be taken while treating the affected animal.