Because they are so small, they are difficult to recognize in the feces of dogs.
Hookworms are one of the most harmful intestinal parasite of dogs.
The mouth parts of the worm have hooks which allow the worm to fasten to the wall of the small intestine and draw blood from its host. The mouth parts damage the lining of the bowel and cause bleeding. The fluid portion of the dog s blood nourishes the worms. They move from area to area in the bowel and leave raw bleeding surfaces in their wake. Young puppies are most severely affected by hookworm disease.