Worms Fighting Back: An Update on Canine Hookworm Resistance

The canine hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum, is among the most common gastrointestinal parasites of dogs across the United States. Recently, the emergence of anthelmintic resistance in canine hookworms have been described. In fact, strains that might be resistance to all three drug classes currently approved for preventing and treating hookworm infections have been characterized.
Current recommendations on diagnostics and management of suspected resistant cases will be discussed. Trends in distribution and prevalence of multi-anthelmintic drug resistance will be assessed, highlighting the existing diagnostic limitations and research needs.