FOUR PAWS VETERINARY HOSPITAL
8401 Ranch Road 12 San Marcos, TX * Phone: (512) 396-7297 * Fax: (512) 392-7297
HOOKWORMS AND ROUNDWORMS
What every pet owner should know
  • What are roundworms and hookworms?
You may already have heard that worms often infect puppies and
kittens as well as older pets. The most common types of these
parasitic worms are roundworms and hookworms. They are both
intestinal parasites. They live and grow inside the intestine of your
pet. Roundworms and hookworms develop from eggs into larvae
(immature worms). The larvae later mature into adult worms.

Most pets show no sign of infection. However, some do. Signs
may include vomiting, loss of appetite, or severe weight loss.
Heavy infections in young puppies and kittens may be fatal.

  • How do pets get worms?
Dogs and cats of any age may get roundworms and hookworms,
but they are most vulnerable when they are very young. In fact, it is
not unusual for puppies only 2-3 weeks of age to harbor a
significant number of worms. That's because these worms are
often passed from a mother to her puppies before birth.
Sometimes they are passed shortly after birth, through her milk.

  • Can roundworms and hookworms infect people?
Yes. These infections, like others acquired from animals, are
called zoonotic infections or zoonoses. You owe it to yourself and
your family to find out about these zoonotic infections. Learn how
to prevent them.

  • How do these worms infect people?
Dogs and cats infected with these worms contaminate their
surroundings by passing eggs or larvae in their feces (waste).
Because pets will pass feces anywhere, they may contaminate a
large area quickly. These eggs and larva are resilient and can
survive in areas such as parks, playgrounds, and yards. Even
inside homes.

People get roundworm and hookworm infections through direct
contact with infected feces. This usually happens by chance
ingestion of contaminated soil, sand, or plant life. Hookworm
larvae penetrate the skin. Children are more vulnerable to
infection than adults, perhaps because they play on the ground
with dirt that may be contaminated. Maybe it's because kids are
more likely to put dirty objects into their mouths. Some children
pass through a stage in which they eat dirt (pica). Thus, they are
more prone to get these infections.

  • How do roundworms harm people?
Roundworms enter the body when ingested as eggs that soon
hatch into larvae. These larvae travel through the liver, lungs, and
other organs. In most cases, these "wandering worms" cause no
symptoms or apparent damage. However, in some cases they
produce a condition knowns as visceral larva migrans. The larvae
may cause damage to tissue and sometimes affect the nerves or
even lodge in the eye. In some cases, they may cause permanent
nerve or eye damage, even blindness.

  • How do hookworms harm people?
Hookworm larvae typically move about within the skin. This is
called cutaneous (skin) larva migrans. One type of hookworm can
penetrate into deeper tissues and cause more serious damage
to the intestine and other organs.

  • How can I protect my pets - and my family and myself -
    against worm infections?
Dr. Forster can recommend treatments to eliminate and help
prevent these worm infections. Since these products are
available in many forms, you and Dr. Forster can choose which
one works best for your dog or cat. Ask for the product that is
most effective against the worms to which pets in your are likely
to be exposed.

TAKE STEPS TO PREVENT ROUNDWORM AND
HOOKWORM INFECTION

  • Have puppies and kittens dewormed by Dr. Forster at an
    early age.
  • Start or keep your pets on a preventive drug program that
    treats and controls these worms.
  • Learn to recognize and avoid possibly contaminated soil,
    sand, plants, and other objects. Teach children to do the
    same.
  • Keep play areas, lawns, and gardens around your home
    free of animal waste.
- Bag and dispose of pet feces.
- Cover sandboxes when not in use.
  • Obey leash laws.