Abstract
Extract
Sir, — In New Zealand only one species of canine hook-worm, Uncinaria stenocephala appears to have been recorded in the literature, although the presence of A. caninum has been suspected for some time. Recently, a case of fatal ancylostomiasis due to A. caninum has been reported in a 6-month-old pup, born of a bitch which had been imported into New Zealand from Australia 7 months previously (McKenna et al, Citation1975). The epidemiology of this disease is complex and a thorough understanding is required for the implementation of successful control programmes. Because of this, we wish to reemphasize the most important epidemiological factors, and draw attention to the recent reports and implications of arrested larval development of A. caninum which occurs at the gut level.