Veterinary Assistant Practice Exam 2025 - Free Veterinary Assistant Practice Questions and Study Guide

Hookworms are known to be particularly problematic for puppies due to their feeding habits and the mechanism through which they cause disease. When hookworms invade the intestinal tract of a puppy, they attach to the intestinal wall and use specialized mouthparts to feed on the host's blood. This can lead to significant blood loss, resulting in severe anemia, which is a condition characterized by a deficiency of red blood cells.

In puppies, who are already vulnerable due to their small size and developing immune systems, the presence of hookworms can quickly lead to health complications. Severe anemia can manifest in symptoms such as lethargy, pale gums, and weakness, requiring prompt veterinary intervention.

While roundworms and fleas can also affect puppies, their primary issues are not typically associated with severe blood loss. Roundworms may cause malnutrition and other gastrointestinal problems, while fleas can lead to discomfort and secondary infections but are less likely to cause the extreme anemia that hookworms do. Ticks can transmit diseases and may cause anemia through blood loss, but the impact is generally not as immediate or severe in puppies as it is with hookworms. Therefore, hookworms are the most significant concern when it comes to severe anemia in young dogs.