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.

Location: Small intestine.

Significance: This hookworm causes less serious disease than Ancylostoma species. Ancylostoma is not present in New Zealand.

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 cats should be treated, and faeces should be removed regularly from cats' quarters.

Toxocara

Aelurostrongylus