My dog has hookworms. Can humans catch them from licking or poop?

Hello, they can be transmitted via a fecal to oral route for both. In the case of hookworms, the species (Ancylostoma brazilienze) can burrow into the skin of people. I advised washing your hands after playing with your puppy and washing your feet/taking showers regularly if you think your yard is infested with hookworms. You should also pick up you're puppy's feces promptly to decrease contamination into your environment. Hope this helps.

I have attached a handout below with more information for you. https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=1530 Hookworm eggs are not immediately infectious, so there is no need to wash sheets and bedding. Similarly, there isn't any need to wear gloves when petting Lady or wipe the floor. Humans are most commonly infected from soil that is contaminated with hookworm larvae, so it would not be recommended to go outside barefoot to help prevent infection. Here is more information on humans. https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/hookworm/index.html The best way to prevent infection to yourself or other dogs is to keep Lady and any other dogs on a monthy heartworm preventative that also includes a dewormer for hookworms. And right now, be sure to pick up her stool immediately after she goes, so the eggs don't have time to hatch and get into the soil Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Hello there! Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is highly unlikely that you would get hookworms from that type of contact. The most common route of transmission is fecal-oral. Meaning ingesting fecal material. This can happen unintentionally if small particles are on your hands and you put them to your mouth. Theoretically, if Leo has some fecal material on his paw, that got on your eye and you wiped it away and then put your fingers in your mouth or on your lips you could possibly get hookworms. But again pretty unlikely. But it is important to point out that you wash your hands thoroughly after picking up his bowel movements to prevent this. Make sure to follow your vet's recommendation for the deworming protocol for these types of worms as they most often need more than 1 dose. I always recommend a follow fecal test after the treatment to make sure he is negative and the infestation is cleared. I hope you found this helpful and helps put your mind at ease. I wish you and Leo all the best!

Yes, there are certain types of worms that can be passed from dogs to humans. These worms are contracted from exposure to dog feces. The eggs (microscopic) are passed in the feces and will become infective in the environment. However, you would have to get close enough to ingest or inhale the eggs for it to infect you. Hookworms, however, will actually penetrate the skin if you are exposed to them. The good news is that you can help prevent them from being infective by cleaning up the feces soon after your dog defecates. If you clean it up within 24 hours, then it will reduce the likelihood of the eggs/larva being infective. Also, it's best not to go barefooted around the dog poop. If there is any contact, you can prevent infection by simply washing the contaminated area. Generally, worm eggs and larva like warm (not hot) and humid environments. The southeast U.S. tends to have the biggest issues with them. I hope that helps.

Hookworm is most commonly passed from stool of an infected animal, so it is possible your dog got the infection from your cat if she plays in the litterbox. Screening and/or treating all animals in the house (as well as picking up all stool and eliminating exposure to stool!) sounds prudent in your case. I would contact your vet for an appropriate medication and dose for your animals, or to see if they prefer to screen the stool first. Be sure to wash your hands well as hookworms can be zoonotic!

I am not aware of any resistant hookworm infections. However some dogs will take multiple treatments to completely get rid of the hook worms. I would recommend picking up there feces and throwing it away to prevent contamination of the environment. Also I would recommend keeping Fallon on a heart worm prevention that also does hookworm deworming monthly to prevent re-infestation. Typically people do not get parasites from dogs as long as they use proper hygiene. Typically to get parasites you have to have fecal oral contamination. If you just make sure you wash your hands before eating and after picking up the feces you should be fine..

There are intestinal parasites that are contagious to humans. These are hookworms and roundworms. They are contagious via fecal oral contact. Cleaning with regular cleaning products should take care of the problem. And also washing your hands before you eat. I have been in the veterinary profession for 16 years and have never gotten parasites myself. More than likely as long as you're cleaning regularly and washing your hands, you should be OK. Good luck!