I have a 3-year-old cat. It never goes out since I adopted her two and a half years ago, and I never feed her raw meat. But her toxoplasmosis antibody is positive. I'm planning to have a baby now. My toxo. test is negative. And I have to change the litter myself 'cause my husband is often on a business trip. I'd like to know whether my cat is likely to shed oozysts again. What can I do to avoid being infected?
2006-09-26 03:17:06 · 11 answers · asked by zwzengwei 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
id go get an automatic litter box but if thats not an option. just be catious. wear gloves and a mask i no its silly but you dont want anything to happen to your baby. and wash your hands after. but also have you husband do it whenever possible. maybe see if you can wait till he gets back from his trips and only do it when you have too.
2006-09-26 03:33:43 · answer #1 · answered by anioheveteric 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
If the cat tests positive it means it has the anitbodies in its system (wonder how it was infected) and will not have the disease again. You, however, could contract it from somewhere.
I think you should take extra precautions with the litter, wearing gloves, washing hands thoroughly etc. Still, I would have your husband change the litter whenever he is home.
The danger to your fetus would be strongest during the first trimester of pregnancy. What does your ob-gyn say? Formerly the MD's would tell you you must get "rid" of the cat. I think they are more enlightened now. Did your MD do the test that showed you did not have the anitbodies?
2006-09-26 10:38:05 · answer #2 · answered by old cat lady 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wear latex gloves and a paper mask while scooping out the litter box as well as when you change over the litter. These items should be easy to get at either a medical supply story or even Home Depot. Always remember to wash your hands after wards with hot ( as much as you can tolerate ) soapy water.
2006-09-26 10:20:20 · answer #3 · answered by yodeladyhoo 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
People catch it from under cooked meat more often than from cat litter. Just wear gloves and wash your hands with the litter. And cook things well while pregnant.
2006-09-26 11:55:25 · answer #4 · answered by emily 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
cats shed it only when they are first infected - they get it from mice who shed it when they are infected....
since you dont know when your kitty was infected you should use procautions when changing the litter - wear rubber gloves and wash hands afterwards... the risk is extremely rare but its good to be careful
congrats on adopting your cat - did you know that kids who grow up in homes where there are 2 or more pets are less likely to develope asthma?? its true!! so congrats on not dumping your cat either because you are having a baby - that is such a shame
2006-09-26 10:20:39 · answer #5 · answered by CF_ 7 · 2⤊ 2⤋
This is a question that you should be asking your ob/gyn and your vet too. You may also want to consider buying a Littermaid Automatic Litter Box, which will scoop feces and urine clumps into a receptacle.
2006-09-26 19:11:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say the best thing to do is ask your gynecologist, I think just the fact of cleaning cat poo is the source of the infection
2006-10-03 22:38:41 · answer #7 · answered by doris_38133 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get one of those automatic litter boxes. CHange it only when you have to with gloves on and wash thoroughly afterwards. Good luck with the baby!
2006-09-26 10:25:14 · answer #8 · answered by applebetty34 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
YOU SHOULD NEVER CHNGE THE LITTERBOX WHILE PREGNANT!!!!!!!! SEE IF A NEIGHBOR KID CANT DO IT FOR YOU FOR A SMALL FEE. MAYBE A FAMILY MEMEBER CAN COME OVER AND DO IT FOR YOU. AGAIN NEVER CHANGE THE LITTLERBOX WHILE PREGNANT!!!!!!!!
2006-10-04 08:52:05 · answer #9 · answered by RHONDA P 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is their chlorine in your tampons more likely than zooinosis
2006-09-26 10:20:29 · answer #10 · answered by old_brain 5 · 0⤊ 3⤋