i think i may be pregnant but my family has 10 cats is this very bad for my health and the baby?
2006-07-15 10:32:36 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Trying to Conceive
If you have only recently gotten the cats, and you are changing the litter box, then it could be risky. You could get toxoplasmosis--a very mild disease, but one that can cause serious damage to a fetus. If, however, you have had the cats for a number of years, you probably already had toxoplasmosis and are in no danger. You can ask your doctor for a blood test (titer) to know if you have already had the disease if you are concerned.
If you *never* had toxoplasmosis, then someone other than you should change the litter box. You need to stay away from the cats' feces.
2006-07-16 01:04:01 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Don't change the litter box! Ask your doctor to test you for toxoplasmosis exposure. Make sure your family keeps the house and litter boxes immaculately clean. If any of the cats are "outdoor" cats, make sure your family has taken them to the vet to be treated for flea & tick prevention and that it's applied every single month. Fleas & ticks are carriers of some dangerous diseases. You don't want them to bite you.
And honestly, I don't know of a community that allows that many pets in one household. Where I live it is a limit of 4 dogs and 4 cats per household within city limits. You might have to contact someone about this collection issue. It just isn't normal to have that many animals, nor is it sanitary. Ensure they're all spayed/neutered as well.
If you're living with your family because you haven't moved out yet, now might be a good time to leave. If you're the mom of the house, get rid of the excess of cats. Find out how many your local ordinance allows you to have, and get rid of the rest.
2006-07-15 17:41:00 · answer #2 · answered by mom2babycolin 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats a very risky animals to have while you are pregnant as there is a chance of catching toxoplasmois(it is a parasite found in cats,sheep,pigs) which can damage your unborn babies brain,eyes and liver or cause developmental prob.Everytime you pet a cat or handle their waste you must wash hands
On the other hand if you have been infected before pregnancy your immune system will be able control the toxoplasma so your baby will not get the infection
2006-07-15 18:31:50 · answer #3 · answered by m41 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is unadvisable to be changing the litter box.. otherwise you should be fine. IF you are the only one around and HAVE to clean the box, be sure to keep your hands away from your face, and scrub really well when you are done. There is a blood test that the dr can run to see if you are immune to toxoplasmosis (I think that is how you spell it). This is what they are concerned about. It's fairly likely that you are immune if you have been around the cats for awhile now.
I am preg with my 6th baby, and we have always had cats. Until my firstborn was old enough to help with them, I was the one changing the litterbox.
Be careful, use your brain when you are around the cats, and if you are worried about anything, call the dr....
2006-07-15 18:29:42 · answer #4 · answered by meflute 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes cats are very bad for you and your baby, cats scratch in litter boxes and carry diseases in there claws, Move or get rid of the cats
2006-07-15 17:38:01 · answer #5 · answered by Joy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being around a litter box is not healty for the baby...you might want to try to stay away from them..or get rid of them.....
2006-07-15 17:35:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
no..your body is immune to any diseases(i forgot the name for it)..you've been around cats your whole life.
2006-07-15 17:42:36 · answer #7 · answered by mommy2savannah51405 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
probably not
2006-07-15 19:04:30 · answer #8 · answered by GrnEyedGurl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋