Hookworms are standard intestinal parasites, which are found in the intestinal walls of dogs and cats. The scientific names for hookworm are Ancylostoma and Uncinaria. These parasites possess small teeth-like structures with which they get firmly attached to the inner walls of the intestine. And, then they get their feed from the blood vessels of the dog. |
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These parasites are seen as thread-like structures of about one inch in length. The life cycle of a hookworm starts from the adult hookworm’s eggs. These are being given out in the digestive tracts of the infected dog and are passed away in the surrounding environment through the stool. When the environment becomes conducive these eggs hatch to transform into larvae and then it starts looking for a suitable host to further grow and develop.
There are number of ways by which a dog can get infected by hookworms.
Ingestion of larvae - It can happen by consumption of food that is contaminated. Even infected soil and water can also be the reason. Moment the larvae are ingested, they gradually enter the intestine and develop to become adult larvae. Just like roundworms, there are some larvae which may also attach themselves to the muscles, fat or any other tissues.
Penetration through skin - The hookworm larvae may get into a dog through the skin, especially the footpad. In this case, they pass via the bloodstream to the lungs and the trachea from where they are either being swallowed inside or are coughed inside.
In-utero transmission - Sometimes an encysted larva may pass to a dog which is pregnant and can affect the fetal puppy via the placenta. Once the puppy is born, the same larva can be swallowed inside and pass to the digestive tracts of the newly born puppy.
Transmission through nursing - Once the larvae enter the blood stream of a pregnant dog, they can easily enter the mammary glands of the dog. Then they can pass on to the puppies in the mother's milk.
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