Hookworms & Your Health, July 2011

(2011) Hookworms & Your Health, July 2011. Public Health, Department of (Health and Human Services, Department of)

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Abstract

Animal hookworms (Ancylostoma and Uncinaria species) are common parasites of dogs and cats (up to 36 percent of pets are infected). In particular, puppies and kittens are often infected regardless of their quality of care. Pets can get infected from many different sources (e.g., from their mother, eating infected rodents, and contacting soil contaminated with infected feces). Some animals may not show signs of illness, while others may have pale gums, weight loss, or diarrhea. Animal hookworms are the most common cause of the human disease, cutaneous larva migrans. Hookworm infection is more common in southeastern states near the Gulf Coast and in some tropical travel destinations.