Images present worms you could possibly discover inside the one you love pet cats

The gruesome details of tapeworms and roundworms have been revealed in microscopic images, magnified up to 180 times. Experts warn that the risk of these parasites infesting your cats significantly increases if they are not regularly dewormed.

Tapeworms, which can grow up to 16 ft in dogs – roughly the height of a giraffe – attach themselves to the lining of a pet’s intestines and develop long ribbon-like bodies. Symptoms include diarrhoea, lethargy, weight loss, among others.

In rare instances, both tapeworms and roundworms can infect humans as well with the latter known to potentially cause severe damage to children’s eyesight. Hookworms, averaging one to nearly two centimetres long, reside in the digestive systems of pets.

These 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, which 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 the worming brands, which kill every type of intestinal worm commonly found in UK cats, 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.”

“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% 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, yet don’t regularly factor in the safety precautions needed to protect them from these creatures.

Almost a fifth (18%) polled via OnePoll.com believe indoor cats can’t get worms and more than one in 10 (11%) 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.

Brits have been clued in on the top signs that their beloved moggies might be bunking with some unsavoury critters, with itchy bums, worms or segments hanging out of their kitty’s backside, or finding rice-like bits in their poo being key indicators. Despite this, a whopping 29% of cat owners admitted they’re not too sure what to look out for when it comes to these pesky parasites.

Worming whizz Daniel Thiem from Drontal, teaming up with charity Worldwide Vet Service to sling a minimum of 5,000 doses of their product to cats in need, chimed in: “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 be on the safe side, worm monthly.”