What is uncinariasis?
Uncinariasis is a parasitic disease of dogs caused by infestation by a worm that belongs to the hookworm family, Uncinaria stenocephala.
How can my dog get uncinariasis?
Uncinaria stenocephala, the parasite in question
The causative agent of uncinariasis in dogs is Uncinaria stenocephala. It is a small roundworm (or nematode) that parasitizes the digestive tract of their definitive host where it feeds on chyme (intestinal contents).
These worms measure between 0.8 and 1.2cm for about 0.5mm in diameter and are whitish in color. They have the particularity of presenting a mouth capsule narrower than their body, composed of two sharp blades.
Oral or transcutaneous contamination
The dog can become infested by ingesting worm larvae, present in the external environment (often by consuming soiled grass or small animals infested by the worm) or by the transcutaneous route, after a contact with soiled and damp ground. After contamination, the larvae of the parasite pass through the heart, the lungs, go up the trachea to take up residence in the intestines of the animal.
What are the symptoms of uncinariasis in dogs?
Uncinaria stenocephala does not attach to the intestinal mucosa and does not feed on the animal's blood, so it is less pathogenic for animals than other hookworms likely to infest them.
Usually, uncinariasis in dogs causes only mild symptoms such as weight loss, dull coat and sometimes diarrhea. On the other hand, an infestation in the puppy can lead to a growth defect.
How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of uncinariasis in dogs requires a parasitic coproscopy. The veterinarian collects a sample of the animal's excrement in order to observe it under a microscope. If he detects the presence of parasite eggs there, the diagnosis is then confirmed.
What is the treatment for uncinariasis?
The treatment of a dog infected with Uncinaria stenocephala is based on the use of anti-helminthics.
It is also possible to prevent contamination of the animal by deworming it preventively.