Study Shows Rockford is #1 in US For Hookworm in Dogs And Cats

One of the hardest parts of being a pet owner is your pet not being able to tell you when they're hurt or sick. You've got to pay extra attention to their behavior so you know when something might be off.

So let's talk about Hookworm, something your dog AND YOU can both get. WIFR details -

According to the Companion Animal Parasite Council’s monthly HOOKWORM report, during the month of June, Rockford had the highest percentage increase in positive hookworm tests. The data is the result of tests conducted by veterinarians.

Some of the risk factors of hookworm include:

• Pet owners who don’t pick up dog stools (40 percent don’t pick up dog stool)
• Growing popularity of dog parks (stools left behind become potential source of hookworm infection)
• Pet owners who don’t protect pets from parasites (with broad-spectrum, year-round parasite preventatives)

So how do they get it? Pets can become infected by hookworm larvae penetrating the skin, licking paws, chewing contaminated toys, or ingesting infected prey such as mice. And it can be fatal.

In people, hookworm infection shows up on the skin with itching at the infection site and appears as a raised rash. People should avoid walking barefoot in areas of potential contamination and wear gloves and shoes when gardening, according to the CAPC.

So as always, keep an eye on your dog wherever they go. And maintain a good watch over their behavior to make sure they aren't sick. For all the signs and symptoms of Hookworm head here.

H/T WIFR