Uncinaria stenocephala: Hookworm.

General Description: Small nematode; males are 5 to 8.5mm long and females reach 7 to 12mm. Cutting plates rather than teeth are present in the mouth.

Life Cycle: Uncinaria infects dogs, foxes and cats and has a direct life cycle, with infection by ingestion or skin penetration. After skin penetration, the larvae generally migrate via the trachea and are swallowed before maturing in the small intestine. Ingested larvae usually mature without further migration. Larvae may infect a rodent transport host. Larvae hatch from eggs in faeces; the infective third-stage larvae appear in a minimum of 7 days. The prepatent period is about 28 days. Unlike Ancylostoma hookworms, Uncinaria usually does not infect puppies via the milk of the bitch.

Location: Small intestine.

Significance: This hookworm causes less serious disease than Ancylostoma species.

Effect on Host: Uncinaria hookworms damage the wall of the small intestine, causing diarrhoea. This hookworm is not responsible for heavy blood loss. Heavy infections will cause loss of condition, roughened coat, and depression.

Diagnostic Information: Strongyle-type eggs will appear in the faeces.

Control: Infected dogs should be treated, and faeces should be removed regularly from dogs' quarters.

Uncinaria – egg		Uncinaria, anterior end, note absence of teeth		Scanning electron microscope photo of mouth parts – Uncinaria