How to Protect Pets From the Dangers of Hookworms in West Texas

When I gave my wife Donna a six-month-old golden retriever for Valentine’s Day 2024, I had no idea how deeply this dog would change her life, and mine. Jane, our golden retriever, was heaven-sent. Donna often said she missed her old dogs, Jack and Tela, and Jane brought that spark back. For the past 14 months, they’ve been inseparable, walking, talking, and sharing meals like old friends.

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But recently, when I took Jane to The Suite Life Pet Resort & Spa for her routine vaccinations, we received some troubling news: Jane had hookworms.

What Are Hookworms, and How Did Jane Get Them?

Like most pet owners, I had a hundred questions. What are hookworms? Where do they come from? And how in the world did my healthy, playful golden retriever get infected?

Our veterinarian, Dr. Catherine Thomson, explained it plainly: Hookworms are parasites that live in the intestines and feed on blood. Jane likely got them from eating a dead rabbit dropped in our backyard by a hawk or owl. She kept returning to that same spot where I eventually found more remains.

But here’s the kicker: hookworms don’t just come from dead animals. They live in the soil, especially after heavy rainfall, such as the recent storms in West Texas and the Concho Valley. They can enter your pet’s body through ingestion or even by burrowing through their skin. Worse yet, they can infect humans, too.

Read More: What To Do After A Wasp Sting And How To Prevent It

Watch for These Symptoms

If your dog or cat shows any of these signs, contact your veterinarian immediately:

• Anemia
• Pale gums
• Weight loss
• Bloody or dark diarrhea
• Weakness or poor growth
• Itchy, inflamed paws

Many of these symptoms overlap with other illnesses, so don’t wait. Get them checked.

8 Immediate Steps to Protect Your Pets (And Yourself)

Here’s what I learned from Dr. Catherine, eight vital actions every pet owner should take now:

1. Get Your Pets Tested Immediately
   Ask your vet to test for hookworms and heartworms. Early detection can save your pet’s life.
2. Start Treatment Right Away
   Hookworm medication is available at pet stores, but I trusted our vet’s prescription-grade heartworm medicine, which she even uses on her own pets.
3. Clean Up the Backyard
   Remove all carcasses (birds, rabbits, snakes) and clean up any and all feces. Parasites thrive in leftover waste.
4. Understand the Skin Threat
   Hookworms don’t need to be eaten; they can enter through paws or bellies if your pet lies in contaminated soil.
5. Yes, Humans Can Get Infected
   If you walk barefoot in the yard, you could be at risk too. Wear shoes and teach your kids to do the same.
6. Don’t Let the Yard Become a Danger Zone
   Even if you treat your dog, they can be re-infected just by returning to a contaminated area.
7. Unborn Puppies Can Catch Them
   Hookworms can pass through the placenta or mother’s milk, so always deworm pregnant dogs under vet guidance.
8. Use Broad-Spectrum Parasite Control
   Keep outdoor bowls clean, droppings picked up, and use safe parasite treatments regularly.

From One Pet Lover to Another

Jane is on the road to recovery, and we’re taking every precaution to treat our yard. I never imagined a dead rabbit could turn into a life-threatening situation for our beloved pup. But it did, and it opened my eyes.

If you're like me and love your fur babies like family, take this seriously. Don’t wait for symptoms to show. Talk to your vet. Check your yard. And spread the word, hookworms are here in Texas, and they’re not going away on their own.

Stay safe, protect your pets, and as always, make every day extraordinary.