i might be pregnant and i've read i shouldn't be around cats! I have two! my bf will take out the litter!

Question

so do i still need to worry? there's no way i'm getting rid of my cats. some web sites mentioned just washing hands well but now i'm just really paranoid about even touching them! they are feeling very neglected!. .... any advice?

its called taxoplasmosis (SP?) and it can cause birth defects.

they are indoor only :)

Answer 1

Hi there...this article was taken from the Humane Society's webpage. Happily you do not need to part with your sweet kitties if you follow the precautions carefully.

If you're expecting a baby, you may have heard of toxoplasmosis because it can cause serious birth defects. A woman who acquires toxoplasmosis during pregnancy can transmit the infection to her unborn child. And a congenital toxoplasmosis infection in utero can lead to miscarriage or an array of malformations at birth. Because one of the ways to become infected is through contact with the infected feces of cats, many pregnant women try to lower their risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis by giving their cat away or putting the cat outside.

Thankfully, you can easily avoid contracting toxoplasmosis from cat feces without giving up your beloved feline "baby." Cats acquire toxoplasmosis from eating contaminated raw meat, birds, mice, or soil. While cats are the only species of animal to shed the infectious stage in their feces, other animals can disseminate toxoplasmosis if their infected meat is eaten without proper cooking.

Fortunately, cat ownership does not necessarily increase the risk of acquiring toxoplasmosis. An understanding of the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and the role that cats play in disease transmission can allay fears of contracting congenital toxoplasmosis from your feline companion. Cats should continue to be sources of joy and companionship to their owners during pregnancy and following the birth of a child.
Disease Transmission

T. gondii is a protozoan organism that can infect all mammals, who serve as intermediate hosts. Once a cat has been infected with toxoplasmosis, he typically acquires immunity and can only rarely be reinfected. So, normally, it is only during a cat's first exposure to T. gondii that he will excrete potentially infectious oocysts (reproducing microorganisms). In addition, oocysts are not immediately infective, requiring an incubation period of one to five days.

Humans can acquire toxoplasmosis in one of three ways. Most commonly, people contract the disease from the consumption of undercooked meat, which contains T. gondii within tissue cysts. A less common method of acquisition is through direct ingestion of infective oocysts. Finally, transplacental transmission of the disease to an unborn child may occur when the mother acquires a primary infection while pregnant.

Likelihood of Contracting Toxoplasmosis

Because it's difficult for cats to transmit toxoplasmosis directly to their caregivers, a pregnant woman is generally unlikely to contract the disease from her pet cat. Several factors keep the chance of such transmission low.

First of all, only cats who ingest tissue cysts acquire infection. Within the feline population, this would be limited to outdoor cats who hunt and eat rodents, as well as cats who are fed raw meat by their owners. In addition, only after a cat is first exposed to T. gondii does he typically excrete oocysts, and he does so for only two weeks. An outdoor hunting cat is often exposed to the disease as a kitten and is, therefore, less likely to transmit the infection as he ages.

Secondly, because oocysts become infective only after one to five days, exposure to the disease is unlikely as long as the cat's litter box is changed daily.

Finally, since oocysts are transmitted by ingestion, in order to contract toxoplasmosis, a woman would have to make contact with contaminated feces in the litter box and then, without washing her hands, touch her mouth or otherwise transmit the contaminated fecal matter to her digestive system.

Reducing Your Risk of Toxoplasmosis

Even though it is unlikely that a woman will contract toxoplasmosis from her cat, it's a good idea to err on the side of caution. The following recommendations will help cat owners expecting a child to reduce their risk of contracting toxoplasmosis.

Avoid undercooked meat.
Wash all uncooked vegetables thoroughly.
Be certain to wash all cutting boards and utensils that may have come in contact with meat before using them to prepare other foods.
Wear gloves when working in soil. If gloves are not worn, hands need to be washed thoroughly following soil contact.
Ask a spouse, friend, or neighbor to help out with litter box duties while you're pregnant.
If you don't have help to keep the litter box clean, wear rubber gloves when changing the litter and thoroughly wash your hands afterwards.
Change your cat's litter on a daily basis.
Getting rid of your feline companion is NOT a necessary precaution. Cat ownership has many benefits that are immeasurable in terms of companionship and love. While it is possible for cats to transmit toxoplasmosis, the risk of your feline friend passing the disease to you is low, especially if you follow the recommendations above. So, your cat can safely remain as a loved member of the family as you await your new arrival.

Answer 2

Sweetheart , I have never heard such a thing ! Where did you read it ? I have two children and I've always been around cats . My kids a very healthy ! I did hear years ago not to let cats around newborns . The cats were seen around the baby's face . The cats only smelled milk and were curious , so that proved to be an " OLD WIVES TALE " . It is great that you are concerned so much but I would call someone like a Dr. or nurse before I pushed my pets away !!!

Answer 3

Try not breathing the cat fur in as well as not dealing with its doings. One very lovely cat assissted in my labour. While I was going thru the first few hours of contractions he curled into my back and purred so loud that it soothed me. I didn't get to the hospital untill the contractions were 2 min apart because it was so effective.

My daughter was born with no defects, except being the calmest person I know.

Good luck with it all!

Answer 4

I think 40% to 50% of humans will test positive for toxoplasmosis in their blood. This means you have been exposed to it and are carrying antibodies for it in your system. Could your doctor check this out for you?

Cats pick up the parasite from eating mice. Are you cats indoors only or have you never seen them with prey?

The parasite is excreted in the poop of the cats. It is not long-lived in the environment. It is only dangerous to your baby in the first trimester of gestation.

I have never heard of an instance of a woman contracting it from petting her cats. It is recommended that your husband take on litterbox duties during your pregnancy (goodie, goodie!)

Answer 5

You can touch your cats you just cant change the litter box. Trust me I have 2 healthy strong girls and I've always had cats around.

Answer 6

toxoplasmosis

That's what you might be afraid of... It's a parasite that can severely affect your unborn baby. However, just get tested to see if you had it already then you'll have no problem.

BTW it comes from cats eating live meat or even from you eating nearly raw meat.

Check with your doctor. look it up on babycenter.com

Answer 7

ok let me clear this up for you. It is not that the cats are dangerous to you while pregnate, it is that cats tend to get in the babys face and the mouth for the milk and can smother the baby or sufficate the baby. That is where the actualy danger is. Cats are sneaky and it only takes a minute to take the babys breath away.. so for now i think you are safe but when baby comes i would not let them in the house at all.

Answer 8

i have 5 children, and have always had cats, even had them sleep with me, while I was pregnant. Do not give your cats away !But it is a good idea, to have someone else change their litter box.

Answer 9

I've never heard that before. What, exactly, are the cats supposed to be doing that's a risk to you or the child?

Answer 10

It's fine. You just can't change the cat box. Not sure why but that's all. You can still love your kitties.
Speak to your Dr. but it should be no big deal.

Answer 11

I've had three kids, they're teens now. I've always had cats. I didn't change my associations with them just because I was pregnant. Never had any problems.