PARASITES AND PARASITIC DISEASES OF DOGS 23 



infested dogs become weak and emaciated, the resistance to disease 

 and to unfavorable conditions is diminished, and the vitality is re- 

 duced. In severe cases the following symptoms may be observed: A 

 sunken eye, foul breath, unthrifty coat, reddening of the skin inside 

 the thighs and elbows, pronounced dullness or depression, and a slow 

 healing of operative wounds or. accidental injuries, with a tendency 

 to ulcer formation in such cases. The larval worms going througlti 

 the lungs have been reported as the cause of a fatal pneumonia in 

 pups. Pups are highly susceptible to infection with hookworms and 

 to the bad effects of such infestations and many of them die from 

 hookworm disease, especially in the South. 



When the symptoms noted above are present, hookworms may be 

 suspected as the cause, but it is inadvisable to allow dogs to go to 

 the stage where they show clinical evidence of hookworm disease, as 

 such dogs have a diminished resistance to the drugs used in removing 

 the hookworms. In regions where hookworms are prevalent, espe- 

 cially in the South but also in many other parts of this country, 

 the feces of dogs, and especially of pups, should be examined occa- 

 sionally for worm eggs, and, if they_ are present, suitable treat- 

 ment undertaken at once without waiting for ill effects to become 

 evident. 



Hookworm infestation in cats is usually light and is likely to be 

 overlooked. Heavy infestations, however, would give rise to symp- 

 toms similar to those described previously for dogs. 



The larvae of Ancylostoma brazUiense may attack man and give rise 

 to a progressive type of skin eruption known as "creeping eruption, " 

 which is sometimes very difficult to cm-e. 



Treatment. — Carbon tetrachloride in a dose of 0.3 cubic centimeter 

 per kilogram (2.2 pounds) of body weight, or 3 cubic centimeters for 

 a 22-pound dog, is an effective drug for the removal of hookworms. 

 Carbon tetrachloride should not be given to very young dogs or to 

 those suffering from calcium deficiencies, such as rickets, etc. Tetra- 

 chlorethylene is an effective drug for the removal of hookworms from 

 dogs. It should be given in a dose of 0.2 cubic centimeter per kilo- 

 gram of body weight or 2 cubic centimeters for a 22-pound dog. 

 Tetrachlorethylene is a much safer drug than is carbon tetrachloride 

 and should be used in preference to the latter, particularly in the 

 treatment of animals in poor physical condition, in puppies and young 

 dogs, and in those suffering from calcium deficiencies. 



Either of these drugs may be given in hard or soft gelatin capsules. 

 Care should be taken to avoid breaking such capsules in the mouth as 

 inhalation of the above-mentioned drugs may lead to serious reactions. 

 Animals should be fasted for 12 hours prior to treatment. The com- 

 mon procedure is to give the usual meal at night, and to administer 

 the treatment in the morning before feeding. Animals may be fed 

 3 hours after treatment but in case a purgative such as castor oil is 

 administered some time after the anthelmintic, food should be with- 

 held until after its administration. In the ordinary case of hookworm 

 infestation, a purgative is not necessary in connection with the above- 

 mentioned drugs, but in cases of concomitant ascarid infestations, 

 particTilarly in puppies and young dogs, it is advisable to administer 

 Epsom salt or Glauber's salt immediately following the worm medi- 

 cine or to give an adequate dose of castor oil 5 hours after the adminis- 

 tration of the worm medicine. Some veterinarians prefer milk of 



