Hookworms Again

[NutmegsMommy]

Hey All,

Just got back from the vet and guess what????? Toby tested negative for coccidia....but positive still for Hookworms. What the H E Double-Hockey Sticks!!!!! He's been on a powerful dewormer for the past month. Has anyone else dealt with difficult worming issues? If so, what did you do to get rid of them...Toby has been dewormed 3 x now...I bleach his cage down once a week, change his blankets every other day...what more can I do???

The vet is talking about trying invermectin next...has anyone used this to treat hookworms? If so, what dose for a squirrel? Toby weighs 1 pound 25 ounces.

[ShereeJacobi]

Hey All,

Just got back from the vet and guess what????? Toby tested negative for coccidia....but positive still for Hookworms. What the H E Double-Hockey Sticks!!!!! He's been on a powerful dewormer for the past month. Has anyone else dealt with difficult worming issues? If so, what did you do to get rid of them...Toby has been dewormed 3 x now...I bleach his cage down once a week, change his blankets every other day...what more can I do???

The vet is talking about trying invermectin next...has anyone used this to treat hookworms? If so, what dose for a squirrel? Toby weighs 1 pound 25 ounces.
Where's he getting them? Don't they pick them up from other animals outside in the soil? Also, you could have hookworms since you have handled your squirrel so much. Just because a test comes back negative you can still have them I do believe. Might just want to get wormed just in case. www.cfsph.iastate.edu/FastFacts/pdfs/hookworms_F.pdf

[ShereeJacobi]

Hey All,

Just got back from the vet and guess what????? Toby tested negative for coccidia....but positive still for Hookworms. What the H E Double-Hockey Sticks!!!!! He's been on a powerful dewormer for the past month. Has anyone else dealt with difficult worming issues? If so, what did you do to get rid of them...Toby has been dewormed 3 x now...I bleach his cage down once a week, change his blankets every other day...what more can I do???

The vet is talking about trying invermectin next...has anyone used this to treat hookworms? If so, what dose for a squirrel? Toby weighs 1 pound 25 ounces.
I just read that you have deworm twice, the 2nd time being 3 weeks later. Most people have no symptoms. I also saw a documentory on TV on a guy that had asthma and found out that hookworms in humans stops asthma. So, he had to walk barefoot in 3rd world countries for awhile to make sure he got infected and is now selling them from his own body to other asthma sufferers. Has quite a business. He has to be tested reguarly for anemia, but since he has been infected has had zero asthma.

[NutmegsMommy]

I have no clue because he is indoors and is isolated from all other animals - I clean his cage down with bleach and change his blankets every other day. My guess is that he was so polluted, it's just taking some time to break the cycle of parasites. I don't know. I've never had a squirrel this bad off before. Most rehabbers would have given up - vets too - that's what I have been told several times...but I won't give up on Toby. He's come so far - just have to keep fighting and eventually win and beat these nasty squirmy wormies into the dirt and out of Toby's life for good.

As for me - I practice super good hand washing and since dealing with Toby, do not put anything my hands have touched anywhere near my mouth - even if I have just washed my hands. Nor do I rub my nose or eyes. I've cut all my fingernails off - which Toby hates because it's turned his back scratches into back rubs...but I don't want to chance some worm or egg getting under my nail bed. Other than that....I'm taking Oil of Oregano P73 which is supposed to kill worms and parasites for back up even though my test came back negative :) Better to be safe than sorry. I just want Toby to be worm free - the poor little guy's been through enough already.

[mugzeezma]

I also saw a documentory on TV on a guy that had asthma and found out that hookworms in humans stops asthma. So, he had to walk barefoot in 3rd world countries for awhile to make sure he got infected and is now selling them from his own body to other asthma sufferers. Has quite a business. He has to be tested reguarly for anemia, but since he has been infected has had zero asthma.

mmmmmm
no thanks...gimme good clean drugs

as far as worms are concerned it's pretty typical to deworm more than once. You have to catch the parasites in the right cycle.
It's assumed that when you deworm all the critters are killed
no
Deworming compounds are specifically lethal to certain only stages. THey don't necessarily kills the eggs. Some kill larvae and not adults.
Try the Ivermectin. See if your vet will give the injection. You may need to follow up with that after 2 weeks.
hang in there
Maybe the meds were not hitting the right cycle?

[mugzeezma]

Have you tried Panacur yet?

[astra]

mmmmmm
no thanks...gimme good clean drugs:D :D

[astra]

sorry to hear about poor Toby...
I wouldn't give up either... it's not over till it's over, and even then, sometimes, there is a way.
I have nothing to add to drugs...
I do know for a fact that pumpkin seeds, especially, raw have a very potent anti-parasitic power. So does coconut oil. Human serving: seeds - 1.5 oz, c. oil - 2-3 tbsp. This is not meant to replace drugs by any means, but could be a good supplementary thing.

[NutmegsMommy]

DRUM ROLL......................................HERE IS THE MOMENT YOU ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.....THE RESULTS OF THE WORM THAT TOBY PASSED THAT WAS SENT TO THE UNIVERSITY FOR ANALYSIS.....

The type of hookworm Toby has is Moliniformis clarki. This is a Nematode ( round worm) of the genus achantocephala. Apparently a very typical hookworm in the squirrels in North America.

Toby went to the vet today and got his first shot of Ivermectin and he's poops tested negative for any worm activity...let's hope it stays that way.

[Busysqrl]

:wave :thumbsup That's EXCELLENT news!!!!

[JLM27]

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[mpetys]

Yeah Toby. What a sweet little guy you are. Can't wait til you are totally cleared of everything and your Mom can quit worrying about you! Then she can spend all her time giving you massages!

Michele

[spykitten01]

KEEP THOSE NASTY SQUIRMY WORMS OUT OF YOUR SWEET LITTLE TUMMY, DO YOU HEAR ME, KIDDO!?!?! Oh Toby...Whatever are we going to do with you?:dono Now you keep at it with the clean poops or else! I Mean It!!! :Love_Icon

[momma2boo]

Sounds like you may be winning the worm battle. Atta boy, Toby ... keep up the good work. You'll be completely healthy in no time.

Are there any recent pics of Toby floating around somewhere on TSB?

[NutmegsMommy]

Hey Momma2Boo -

Per your request here is a recent picture of Toby after we got back from the vet from getting our first Ivermectin shot. Notice the single saluting digit he is giving me for the shot - hee hee. Actually Toby's got a broken toe that sticks up - but the way he looks and the finger being up after the trip to the vet just made for a funny coincidence. Enjoy the pic!!!!

PS - we go back on Monday for our follow up shot of ivermectin and he is on a new special made dewormer to kill those nasty hookworms once and for all. I just tucked him in for the night - full back rub and tummy rub. Such a rough life.

[mugzeezma]

Hey Momma2Boo -

Per your request here is a recent picture of Toby after we got back from the vet from getting our first Ivermectin shot. Notice the single saluting digit he is giving me for the shot - hee hee. Actually Toby's got a broken toe that sticks up - but the way he looks and the finger being up after the trip to the vet just made for a funny coincidence. Enjoy the pic!!!!

PS - we go back on Monday for our follow up shot of ivermectin and he is on a new special made dewormer to kill those nasty hookworms once and for all. I just tucked him in for the night - full back rub and tummy rub. Such a rough life.
Poor little guy has been through so much!
What did the vet put him on?

[momma2boo]

He looks really good, NutmegsMommy! You are working wonders with Toby. Sounds to me like he is good and spoiled ... just the way a squirrel should be.

Thanks for posting a pic. Please keep them coming!

[Rescue04]

worms are the worst to get rid of! thankfully we have not had any in two years, because of how we treat them when they first come to us. And we use alot of hand sanitizer between handling babies now. changing the bedding every day is a must with hot water bleach wash and High heat dry.

[mpetys]

Aww, I sure love Toby! Great picture. Is that a little scuff on his head?

Michele

[NutmegsMommy]

yeah - he's had that since I found him. I call it his beauty mark.

Mugs - to answer your question - Toby is on Albendazole, in addition to the Ivermectin. We're attacking this particular type of hookworm full force. Enough is enough - poor Toby.

Now if I could only get Toby to try and sleep in until 8am - with this cold weather he's been sleeping in the master bedroom where it's warmer and he has absolutely no concept of sleeping in a little bit late on the weekends. I think I'm going to get some earplugs today - hee hee because we have another cold front blowing through.

[Busysqrl]

Oh boy, Toby is a little QT! I sure hope the new Rx kicks those worms out of their nice warm spot! Hey do you have a thread on the history of Toby, how old he was and all the details? I'd be interesting in hearing his story. Are you able to totally handle him without him biting you? He sure looks great!!! Nice work, it's amazing what some good food and love will do for sick or injured animal :grouphug

[Scooterzmom]

You're doing a bang up job with little Toby. He's lucky to have you! Keep up the great great work!!!:multi :wahoo

He's such an adorable little guy,why would the nasties like worms try to harm such a sweetie? :Love_Icon (OK, hypothetical question but still... :D)