Hookworms Becoming Resistant to Treatment

Hookworm infection is on the rise, but the drugs traditionally used to treat it are not working as effectively as they once did to kill the parasites. The worms literally hook onto the interior of the small intestine, causing symptoms ranging from severe GI distress to emaciation and weakness. Puppies can die from hookworm disease.

It’s a particular problem because an estimated one in 30 dogs currently tests positive, according to the Companion Animal Parasite Council. That’s up from one in 50 dogs in 2015. Dogs in the South are at high risk, while those in the Northeast and Midwest are considered at medium risk.

The reason the drugs are not working as well as formerly is that the worms can mutate to the degree that the deworming treatments are rendered ineffective, explain researchers at the University of Georgia. They reported their findings in the International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance.

The chance for infections that are resistant to disease is greatest in habitats where dogs are crammed together, such as racing dog kennels and puppy mills. The worms are usually ingested, but they can also make their way through a dog’s skin and paws.

Drug-resistant hookworms can also be found in spots that people with pets frequent, like dog parks. Worm eggs survive in fecal matter. That’s yet another reason you should assiduously pick up and dispose of your pet’s poop. It will protect you as well as your dog. Hookworm disease is zoonotic, meaning it can be transmitted from canines to humans. In people, it manifests as a very itchy rash.

If your dog becomes infected with hookworms, follow your vet’s instructions for administering deworming medication. It is important to at least avail yourself of the tools at hand.