Hookworms
In the cat, hookworms (Ancyclostoma tubaeforme) are an often forgotten, but important intestinal parasite.
Hookworms are passed from the queen to the kittens during nursing or are picked up from a contaminated environment (for example, eating grass or digging in contaminated soil).
The contamination comes from other animals that have defecated in the area, passing hookworm eggs which then hatch out into a larval form that migrates up the blades of grass.
This method of transmission is most common in the spring and fall when the humidity is high and the grass is lush. If the weather is too hot or cold, the eggs will remain dormant in the soil for years. Hookworm larvae are capable of migrating through the skin (usually the mucous membranes of the mouth) or are ingested.
These larvae then embark on an extensive migration through the body tissues, finally ending up in the lungs, where they are coughed up and swallowed. Once swallowed (after the long migration), they develop into adult hookworms in the small intestine.
Clinical signs may be one or more of the following:
- Intestinal blood loss causing anemia
- Bloody diarrhea
- Weight loss
- Poor hair coat
Young dogs and cats are affected more severely,since they are less able to cope with depleted iron reserves. Once in the small intestine, hookworm attach to the intestinal wall with their well developed teeth.
Hookworms survive on blood that they suck from the intestinal wall. They cause anemia, through blood loss, and a severe inflammation of the bowel from the wounds that they create along its walls. Evidence of hookworm disease may be seen as weakness, dark diarrhea, dehydration, malabsorption of nutrients and wasting. These effects are most profound in young kittens. Adult cats can develop a level of immunity which limits the numbers of adult hookworms (although it does not appear to cure the infection).
Hookworm larvae are of public health significance because they can penetrate the skin of people and cause a rash or eruption called "creeping eruption" or "cutaneous larval migrans". People that are exposed frequently to these larvae may develop an allergic reaction to them. People who walk barefoot in contaminated areas, lay on contaminated beaches, and animal caretakers are at higher risk.
Today, many anthelmintics are effective against hookworms in both dogs and cats. An aggressive treatment and prevention program as defined by your veterinarian normally entails two initial treatments 2 weeks apart(killing the hatched eggs and before they can hatch again and reproduce administering a second dose), plus an aggressive preventive program. Since the medication can only kill whats in the system monthly checkups for 3-4 months are needed until a pattern of negative tests results are established. Because of the life-cycle of the hookworm, monthly combo preventative can help control but not usually eliminate the problem.
All cats and kittens should have a yearly stool sample examined by their veterinarian to check for these debilitating parasites. This is especially important in families with young children, to protect them from hookworm disease. There are many excellent new dewormers available.
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