Feline Hookworm Infection: Vet Guide 2025 🐱🩺🪱

Hello caring cat guardians! I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc 🩺. Hookworms—tiny blood‑sucking intestinal parasites—affect kittens and adult cats worldwide. While often manageable with treatment, heavy infestations can cause serious anemia and diarrhea. This 2025 guide explains transmission, signs, diagnosis, deworming, prevention, and monitoring to protect your feline companion and your household 😊.

🔍 What Are Hookworms?

Hookworms (mainly Ancylostoma tubaeforme and A. braziliense) are thin, whitish nematodes ~1 cm long that attach to the small intestine lining and feed on blood, occasionally migrating through lungs first :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. They thrive in warm, moist environments and are zoonotic—humans can contract skin infections from larvae :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

🦠 Transmission Routes

• 🐾 **Ingestion:** swallow larvae from contaminated soil, feces, or prey like rodents/insects :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• 🪱 **Skin penetration:** larvae actively burrow through paw pads or belly skin :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• ⚠️ **In kittens:** rarely via milk in dogs, but not in cats :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

👀 Signs & Symptoms

Light infestations may be subclinical, but larger burdens cause:

• 🩸 **Anemia:** pale gums, weakness, lethargy—especially in kittens :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• 💩 **Gastrointestinal signs:** diarrhea (sometimes bloody/tarry), vomiting, weight loss :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• 🐾 **Skin irritation:** itching, especially on paws from larval penetration :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
• 😿 **Dull coat, poor condition** from chronic nutrient loss.
• 🚼 **Respiratory signs:** coughing if larvae migrate through lungs :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.

Left untreated, heavy infestations may become life-threatening due to severe blood loss :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.

🔬 Diagnosing Hookworms

• 💩 **Fecal flotation:** eggs detected microscopically—the gold standard :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• ⚠️ **Visual detection:** often too small to see in stool (1/8″ long), but may appear as thin threads :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
• 🩺 **Bloodwork:** may reveal anemia and low protein in heavy infections.
• 🔁 **Repeat testing:** after treatment, to ensure clearance and reinfection prevention.

🏥 Treatment Options

1. Anthelmintics (Deworming)

• **Benzimidazoles:** fenbendazole or mebendazole over 3‑5 days, safe and effective :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}.
• **Pyrantel pamoate:** effective against adult worms.
• **Ivermectin:** sometimes used; caution in kittens.
• **Topical options:** Profender® or Advantage Multi® also cover hookworms :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16}.

2. Supportive Care

• 💧 **Fluids & nutrition** for dehydration and nutrient loss.
• 🩸 **Iron supplements or transfusion** if severe anemia.
• 🔁 **Follow-up deworming:** repeat in 2–3 weeks for emerging adults :contentReference[oaicite:17]{index=17}.
• 🧪 **Monitor:** track stool, energy, appetite during recovery.

🛡️ Prevention Strategies

• 🌡️ **Monthly dewormers** using vet-recommended products like Advantage Multi or Profender :contentReference[oaicite:18]{index=18}.
• 🚫 **Environmental hygiene:** promptly clean litter boxes and dispose of feces to reduce larval habitat :contentReference[oaicite:19]{index=19}.
• 🌱 **Keep indoors or controlled outdoors** to limit exposure to contaminated soil or prey.
• 🐁 **Pest control** to prevent ingestion of infected prey.
• 🧍‍♂️ **Zoonotic protection:** wear gloves when handling litter; wash hands to avoid skin or gut infection :contentReference[oaicite:20]{index=20}.

📈 Prognosis & Follow-Up

• 👍 **Excellent** with early treatment and supportive care.
• ⚠️ **Guarded in kittens**—they run risk of life-threatening anemia.
• 🔄 **Recheck fecal exam** after treatment and periodically per your vet's recommendation.
• 🏥 **Monitor hemoglobin** and general health in severe cases.

🏡 Home Monitoring Tips

• Use **Ask A Vet app** 📱 to log symptoms, deworming dates, and follow-up plans.
• Observe appetite, energy, stool quality, and coat shine—report any drop.
• Maintain a clean home—daily litter box cleaning, avoid outdoor stool.
• Administer treatments on schedule—don’t skip doses.
• Keep human skin covered when cleaning; encourage family to wash hands post-litter duty.

📝 Key Takeaways

• Hookworms are blood-feeding intestinal parasites that can cause serious anemia, especially in kittens.
• Diagnose through fecal microscopy; eggs too small for naked-eye detection.
• Treat with effective dewormers; supportive care key for recovery.
• Prevent with monthly preventives, hygiene, indoor care, and zoonosis awareness.
• With proper care, most cats fully recover—communication with your vet ensures success.

📞 When to Contact Ask A Vet

If your cat shows pale gums, weakness, bloody stool, persistent diarrhea, or lethargy—message via the **Ask A Vet app** 💬 without delay. Early action helps prevent complications!

✨ Final Thoughts

Hookworm infections are treatable and preventable. With honest vigilance, clean habits, regular medication, and the Ask A Vet toolkit, you're giving your cat—and your family—the best protection. Every clean scoop and treatment counts ❤️🐾.