Fatal ancylostomiasis in a dog

Abstract

Extract

Canine hookworm disease is a general term used to describe morbidity associated with infection by certain small-intestinal nematode parasites of dogs. It is now known, however, that there are at leastthree and possibly four species of canine hookworms and that these vary considerably in their pathogenicity (Miller, 1971). In New Zealand, the occurrence of only one of these species, Unoinaria stenocephalia, appears to be recorded in the literature although verbal reports of the existence of a second, Ancylostoma caninum, have been received occasionally. This report describes the occurrence of an A. caninum infection in a dog which resulted in what is believed to be the first recorded case of fatal ancylostomiasis in New Zealand.