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What are Hookworms, Roundworms and Lungworms?
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What are Hookworms, Roundworms and Lungworms?

perroEditorial
Feb 22, 2022
7 min

Most internal parasites are zoonotic which means parasites present in our pets, can also infect and cause illnesses to pet parents like us. So before we kiss and snuggle our pets make sure they are healthy and free from parasites to keep us safe. 

In humans, many gastrointestinal parasites can live in the intestines for many years without causing any symptoms. Some of the symptoms may cause include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloating, fatigue, and weight loss

The same gastrointestinal parasites can infect our pets. It’s very common for our puppies and kittens to get infected with internal parasites at an early age.

Most adult dogs and cats can be carriers without manifesting any symptoms however it can cause serious illness or even fatal to young pets. Our pets can be infected in many ways. 

perrobook roundworms

Roundworms 

Scientific name: Toxocara canis, Toxocara leonina

Hosts: Dogs, cats (Toxocara leonina only), humans (Toxocara canis only)

Location of adults: Small intestine

Humans, dogs, and cats become infected by ingesting eggs (fecal-oral transmission) through contaminated food and water or ingesting transport hosts (like rats) that have larvae on their tissues.

Kittens and puppies ingest larvae from infected mother’s milk (trans-mammary transmission) and become infected soon after birth. 

For puppies and kittens, roundworms can cause diarrhea, vomiting, stomach rupture, anemia, poor growth development, and even death. Adult cats and dogs may be resistant to infection. However, in severe cases, roundworms may suppress the immune system during pregnancy, thus causing anemia, diarrhea, and vomiting. 

perrobook hookworms

Hookworms 

Scientific name: Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma brazilienze, Uricinaria steocephala. 

Hosts: Dogs, cats, wild canids and felids, primates (including humans)

Location of adults: Small intestine

Hookworms can infect humans, dogs, and cats by penetrating the skin through any break in intact skin (Percutaneous transmission) such as cuts, needles, or surgery or ingesting the larvae. Once the larvae enter the host, larvae will travel to the lungs and to the intestine.

In the intestine, they will develop into adult worms. Kittens and puppies may also ingest larvae from infected dam’s milk and become infected soon after birth. 

For puppies and kittens, roundworms can cause diarrhea, weight loss, severe parasitism can cause anemia or blood loss. As for adult cats and dogs, immune dogs may show no signs of infection, but in severe cases may cause bloody/dark feces, anemia, and weight loss. 

perrobook lungworm

Lungworms, French heartworm

Scientific name: Angiostrongylus vasorum, Capillaria aerophila and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus

Hosts: Dogs, cats

Location of adults: Pulmonary arteries

Dogs and cats can acquire lungworms by ingesting contaminated food or water and by eating larvae found in frogs, slugs, and snails. Toys and fur can also be a carrier of larvae.

The larvae then grow inside the dog or cat and adult lungworm migrates through their body to live in the lungs, heart, and blood vessels. 

Lungworm in puppies and kittens can cause mild watery diarrhea, coughing, shortness of breath and bronchopneumonia. Adult dogs are asymptomatic and may develop immunity. While adult cats may suffer from coughing, shortness of breath, pneumonia, and weight loss. 

With all this information, know how to combat these parasites with healthcare products for your dog or cat (veterinary consultation as advised).

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