Close-up these worms are terrifying, but they’re no better from a distance (Pictures: Dr David Maitland/SWNS)
These shocking images reveal the creepy worms that could be living inside your cat.
The microscopic pictures show tapeworms, roundworms and other parasites in all their gory detail – magnified up to 180 times.
Experts say the chances of roundworms and tapeworms taking up residence together in your feline friends is significantly increased if they’re not wormed regularly.
Tapeworms, which in dogs can grow to 16 feet – roughly the height of a giraffe – hook into the lining of a pet’s bowels and develop long ribbon-like bodies, causing a variety of symptoms including diarrhoea, lack of energy, weight loss, and more.
On rare occasions, tapeworms and roundworms can infect humans too – with the latter known to potentially cause serious damage to children’s eyesight.
Hookworms average one to two centimetres long, living in the digestive systems of pets. They can infect humans by penetrating the skin, most like through the feet.
A roundworm, left, and hookworm, right (Pictures: Dr David Maitland/SWNS)
The images were released by pet worming treatment brands Drontal and Dronspot and captured by award-winning science and nature photographer, Dr David Maitland, using light, confocal, and scanning electron microscopes from his own collection and from St Andrews University.
David captured images of the samples on loan from Dr J W McGarry, of the University of Liverpool, following research of 1,000 cat owners commissioned by the worming medication producers. It found just 23% had de-wormed their cat in the last month, and only 34% had done it in the past three months.
Daniel Thiem, from Drontal, said: ‘Just because these creatures are tiny, doesn’t mean they are harmless.
‘Both tapeworms and roundworms are relatively common with the latter being found in one in four cats in one UK study.
The head of a tapeworm (Pictures: Dr David Maitland/SWNS)
‘It’s important to check the risk-level of your cat and de-worm them regularly – even if your cat does not go outside or is not a hunter, they could still pick up worms.
‘This could be from other pets in the household, worm eggs being carried on people’s shoes and from ingesting fleas while grooming, since fleas can contain tapeworm eggs.’
The study also revealed 37% of owners do not give their cats regular de-worming medication, and 45% of those polled admit eliminating parasites from their pet is not top of their to-do list – meaning they often entirely forget to de-worm their feline friend.
This is particularly shocking considering 54% of cat owners see their pets as part of the family.
Another species of tapeworm (Pictures: Dr David Maitland/SWNS)
The Taenia parasite in larval form (Pictures: Dr David Maitland/SWNS)
Almost a fifth, 18%, polled via OnePoll.com believe indoor cats can’t get worms and more than one in 10 don’t believe intestinal worms in cats can present a risk to people.
Yet 68% admit to being squeamish at the thought of their cats having worms.
Top signs of unwelcome parasites cohabitating with their pets were identified by respondents as their cats having an itchy behind, seeing a worm or segment protruding from their feline’s rear end or on its bedding, and seeing rice-like pieces in their cat’s droppings.
However, 29% of cat owners weren’t confident in knowing what to look for.
Mr Thiem added: ‘By following a regular de-worming plan you can ensure your cat and your loved ones are kept safely worm-free.
‘Cat’s worms can cause illness in humans when their larvae lodge in organs such as the eyes, liver, heart, and brain – so, to err on the safe side, worm monthly.’
Drontal is working with charity partner Worldwide Vet Service to donate a minimum of 5,000 doses of their product to provide relief for cats in hard-to-reach places.