2006-07-21 12:24:23 · 20 answers · asked by MissYYYY 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Is it bad to breath it or is it if you touch it?
2006-07-21 12:28:38 · update #1
you should not clean the litter box while you are pregnant because of toxoplasmosis. Cats can carry this and you can get infected though their waste. Ask you significant other to do it or simply wear gloves.
Toxoplasmosis can cause an abortion.
You can be tested for the toxoplasmosis virus and normally all pregnant women have that test anyway. As a matter of fact if you would be negative you should avoid an acute infection and not clean the box if you are anyway positive and have antibodies than it would not make a difference.
Many cat owners are positive and the symptoms for an acute infection would be mild cold symptoms.
2006-07-21 13:21:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wash your hands after every time, which you probably already do. Use one of those pellet litters that don't create dust. The cat's may not like it as much, but its better for your lungs and theirs. Or, if you have a husband, have him do it. My doctor and midwives said that as long as I washed my hands and didn't breathe in the dust from the pan, there would be no problem... The people who have problems because of cats have just over publicized because they were too stupid to keep themselves clean and protected. If you are paranoid, wear a little surgical mask and gloves when you clean it. Also, I think you can have your cats tested to see if they carry it.
Getting rid of the cat is not an option... its cruel. If you are a responsible parent and pet owner you will keep an eye on your cat and won't have a problem with the cat being around your baby. Oh, and if the cat's been an indoor cat its whole life it most likely doesn't have the toxic thing (I can't remember what it is called exactly.) When you adopt a cat or dog it is part of your family. For people to just get rid of a family member because they think they might get sick from them, its sad and pathetic.
2006-07-21 12:31:53 · answer #2 · answered by elliecow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The baby should not use the litter box. That's only for the cats. :)
You'll have a while before the baby crawls to figure it out. Where is it now located? Maybe move it to a location where you can occasionally shut the door. Over time, you can train the baby that it's not a place to play. The cats will probably stand by the door if they need to use it.
Use disposable gloves and mask for now when you clean it.
http://familydoctor.org/180.xml
2006-07-21 12:32:39 · answer #3 · answered by Dale P 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before you rush into any rash decisions and get rid of your pets you should know the truth about toxoplasmosis. Yes toxoplasmosis is dangerous to pregnant women and newborns and it is passed in the feces of a cat , however it is not passed by all cats. If your cat is a house cat , is not eating rodents or raw meat then he/she does not get exposed to toxoplasmosis. Also if you have always had cats and changed litter you are already most likely exposed to it and immune to it so don't worry. I had this discussion with my OBGYN when I was pregnant the first time. I now have 3 healthy kids and still have my 2 cats. If you are concerned discuss it with your doctor.
2006-07-21 12:39:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The way it was explained to me by my doctors is that, if you have NEVER had cats in your home before, you should NOT adopt a cat while you are pregnant. As somebody else mentioned, you would have a very good chance of contracting toxoplasmosis, and it causes birth defects. You are susceptible to the germ if you do not already have an immunity.
However, a person who has been raised around cats, and has cats in their home ALREADY.... should not have to worry, as they are probably immune to becoming sick from those germs. Still, it would be better if somebody else changes the litter. That's the least your spouse (or who ever else lives in your home) can do for you, in your condition.
2006-07-21 12:34:55 · answer #5 · answered by mia2kl2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should not change it while pregnant. Get someone else to handle the cat box while you are pregnant. If there isn't anyone else at all, you could probably wear medical gloves.
2006-07-21 12:27:52 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it from a nurse,have someone change it or if that is not possible wear gloves and a facial filtering mask to change it.Please be very careful b/c there are dangerous viruses associated with cat litter boxes that pregnant women can pass to the baby.AND it is fatal for the baby,or can cause birth defects.
2006-07-21 18:12:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't even have to touch it. Put a garbage bag over the litter pan. Put down some newspaper and then the litter. When you need to change it, reverse the bag. Voila. No touch.
2006-07-21 13:31:35 · answer #8 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Handling cleaning it???
DO NOT CLEAN IT.
A doctor told my friend that last year when she was pregnant.
Get someone else to do it because cleaning it can harm your baby.
Or keeping it from the baby???
Keep it in a seperate room where the baby cannot go and keep a baby gate up so the cats can jump over it but the baby cannot get to it.
2006-07-21 12:29:47 · answer #9 · answered by Crystal Kaye 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You shouldn't be cleaning a litter box when you are pregnant! Get someone else to do it for you!
2006-07-21 12:28:00 · answer #10 · answered by ♥Stranger In Maine™♥ (Thriller) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋