[kjh]

We just bought a gorgeous chihuahua from a breeder who assured us our puppy was in the best of health but when we took her to the vet they said she had a huge ammount of hookworms.Is this normal in all puppies? We gave her the meds from the vet but I wondered is that normal?

[Daveyo]

Hi I am Daveyo

Hookworms is caused by mosquitoe infestation as the primary culprit. Sometimes certain feeds have it depending on what the animal ate in the past.

You need Pyrantel or Drontal Plus which is the good stuff to keep worms out of dogs. Once a month should suffice. Lopatol 500 is another good one.

Make sure the ingredients contain Pyrantel because that is what kills them.

You must be careful of the heart because these worms can kill the dog.

OK, and once this VET I hope he or she knows what they are doing, your dog should be cured if given the right meds.

To keep the mossies off the dog, keep it indoors and let out only during the day time and in the open. Avoid early morning hours or early evening since summer is arriving because that is called mossie time. Ok. The good Dx is Frontline so put this on the dogs back and it good for one month.

As if it is common, yes during the summer if owners are not careful, but for the most part no not that common. Just do what I have said here and you should be fine.

Oh, as of the Vaccinations to this dog DO NOT GIVE FULL SHOT VACCINATIONS especially to this tiny creature that loves to bite the ankles of us folks. Give only 1/2 dose spread apart of 21 days. OK And you need to do such only once every 3 years. The other is to remind you never give vaccinations to a sick animal at any time. You compromise their immunity. Understand.

Good luck.

Daveyo