is it true....

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2003
is it true....
7
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 12:04am
Is it true that cats can harm the baby before it is even born..I heard they can cause something called toxosplasmosis(speling??) if so let me know and what i have to do for future baby to be safe.

thanks

hugs and belly rubs

manda
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2003
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 12:07am
The cat itself is fine but if you are trying to become pregnant or are you should not touch anything in the cats litter box. The poop is what is bad for the baby.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-14-2003
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 12:18am
Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that is mose harmfull to pregnant women. If you conme in contact with the occysts in the feline fecies you can be contaminated., But as a cat owner myself I know first hand that a cat after using the litter box not always deposits the fecies before leaving. Sometimes it can get stuck in the tail hair or on the rear end. So if you do own cats be carefull and hopefully they are outdoor cats. IF you do become pregnant, I would recomend they become outdoor cats or temorairly moved. ALSO, if the fecies were deposited into a garden or flower bed STAY OUT OF THE DIRT!

Toxoplasmosis is also found in sheep and undercooked meat, so make sure you cook your meat really well. (with the meat you can only get it by ingesting the under cooked stuff where as feline fecies you can get it by comming into contact)

Symptoms usually a fever and I dont want to scare you but can also cause miscarriages and mental retardation.

(I knew that animal science class would come in handy some day)

Good luck and I wouldnt worry about it too much, just be careful. (easier said than done i know)

Good luck

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-10-2003
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 2:20am
While I understand the meaning behind this post. I wanted to add that technically, if you have a cat that is a strict indoor cat, the chances of it carrying this is very much lower. They get it from contact with the outdoors, and the mice and birds they may be preying on while out there. So if your cat is only indoors, as long as you stay away from its box, you should be fine. There is a lot of information about this on the internet, and I would reccomend you do some research before you choose something rash like getting rid of, or throwing your poor kitty outside. If one is going to throw the cat outside because of this, then you need to find it a true loving home, obviously you dont care for it enough.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2003
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 12:44pm
i agee emily my cats are very clean and actually very picky about what is on them..my first cat has been inside since she was born second was a stray at an adoption place both up to date on there shots and very clean animals..i guess my husband will just have to clean out the litter box..i was just wondering if i could get anything by them sitting on me or anything like that..but my babies will stay i cant get rid of them love them tooooo much

hug and belly rubs

manda
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-08-2003
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 1:39pm
As one of the previous messages said... This is a parasite that your cat can carry as a result of preying on animals in the wild. So, if your cat stays indoors and you have regular blood work/veterinary visits that show you have a healthy cat, the chances are slim to none that this should be a concern. If your cat is not a carrier of this parasite, then it is impossible for the parasite to present itself in the feces. My suggestion would be: if your cat is an outdoor cat, get thourough testing done to be sure that he/she is not carrying the parasite. Then, keep your cat indoors at all times to be sure that he/she does not pick up the parasite. OR If your cat is an outdoor cat and you don't want it to be an indoor cat, have your husband clean the litter box!! Sounds good eh?
Avatar for mare_serinitatis
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-29-2003
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 1:48pm
Hi.

I'm new here, but I thought I throw in a couple words on this topic, too.

If you've had your cats for a while and have cleaned the litter box, you would have already caught toxiplasmosis (assuming the cats had it). That's fine because your immune system would have it under control...it's when you're exposed to it and haven't had it before that you start to have possible pregnancy complications...it has a chance to do damage before your immune system can suppress it. However, it's probably still a good idea to have your hubby clean the cat box in case they were to suddenly get it for some *wierd* reason. You shouldn't have to get rid of indoor cats (I had 4 when my son was born), just take precautions.

Cherish

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-23-2003
Thu, 10-09-2003 - 2:33pm
well i have had my first cat for a year now and my new cat i have had for a couple of months..so yes i would have taken the precaution of haveing hubby clean out the litter box anyway..i would never get rid of my cats though i dont see the reason if it can be avoided of contracting this by not going near the litter box then so be it thats not very hard..thanks for all the help

hugs and belly rubs

manda