Hookworms are a serious threat to dogs, especially young puppies. They can cause blood loss, weight loss, diarrhea or death. Hookworms live in your dog's digestive system. They must be diagnosed by your veterinarian.
How serious is a hookworm?
The most serious effects of hookworm infection are blood loss leading to anemia, in addition to protein loss. Hookworm infections are treatable with medication prescribed by your health care provider.
How common is it for humans to get hookworms?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hookworm infections occur in an estimated 576 to 740 million people worldwide. It mainly affects people in developing nations in the tropics and subtropics due to poor sanitation. These infections rarely occur in the United States.
What happens if you leave hookworms untreated?
An untreated, severe infection results in blood loss. Blood loss can lead to anemia and protein deficiency. Severe anemia can cause dizziness, fatigue, muscle cramps, shortness of breath and chest pain. Children infected with hookworms over long periods of time can suffer severe effects from lack of iron and protein.
Is hookworm an emergency?
Therefore, parasitic diseases like hookworm infection should also be considered in cases of travelers or immigrants/ refugees from endemic regions, who are admitted to emergency department claiming complaints of varying severity.
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