Hookworm Treatments

Hookworms are a type of parasite that have the potential to infect humans and household pets such as cats and dogs. If left untreated, hookworms can cause anemia and lung infections in humans and pets.

Identification

• In animals and humans, the treatment for hookworms involves prescription medications used to kill parasites. Doctors also prescribe iron supplements for humans who develop hookworm infections in order to prevent or treat anemia, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Types of Medication

• For humans, medications used to treat hookworms include albendazole, mebendazole or pyrantel pamoate, reports the National Library of Health. For animals, veterinarians also prescribe pyrantel pamoate or other medications, such as piperazine, milbemycin, fenbendazole, lufenuron and praziquantel.

Time Frame

• In humans, the medication used to kill hookworms usually works in one to three days, according to the CDC.

Warning

• Although pyrantel pamoate is used to treat hookworm infections in humans and animals, avoid sharing medication with your pet. Veterinary drugs often contain different ingredients and are different doses than those made for humans.

Prevention

• If your pet becomes infected with hookworms, you and your family should not walk around barefooted in areas where your pet defecates, and you should avoid touching soil and sand in the area with bare hands, suggests the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. It is also important to have your pet regularly dewormed to prevent hookworm infections.