Toxoplasmosis?

Question

I am eight months preg, and whilst hubby has done most of the litter changes and poop scooping, I have had to do it while he is away, and when Layla gets a bit of poo on her bum, I have to clean her, because otherwise she spreads it round (she has very furry bottom, and sometimes it just gets poopy!!)I always wear gloves and wash my hands, and when we had a bad day and she had a runny tum, and I had to wash her, I bathed afterwards just in case!
I always wash my hands before food prep and stuff.

She is strictly indoors, although we will prob let her out next summer. I was thinking about letting her out recently but two local cats have been killed by badgers here, and I am not keen!
She has been out with me approx 3x on her lead, and has not been in any soil or anything that could have cat poop in it, and once with hubby where she followed him thru the grass and then went back indoors.
Should I be worrying about toxoplasmosis?

Answer 1

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm

This website should answer all your questions.

Don't let your cat become an outdoor cat....it's probably the cruelest thing anyone can do IMHO.

Good luck with the new addition.

Answer 2

About 40-50% of the US population has been exposed to toxoplasmosis and not necessarily from their cats. Cats pick it up when they catch and consume rodents which doesn't sound likely with your cat.

So all the posters are right - you can have your doctor check your blood for the antibodies. You have certainly been cautious and done the right things about cleaning up after the cat. Also you can contract it from any raw meat - even forming hamburger patties for your family's dinner. And the danger to your unborn child is strong in the first trimester of your pregnancy.

Answer 3

Toxoplasmosis is only a threat to you if your cat has eaten an animal (usually birds) that are infected. Since your cat is a strictly indoor cat, I don't think you really have anything to worry about.

Here's some good info about toxoplasmosis from the ASPCA:

Before . . .
The parasitic infection toxoplasmosis is perhaps a pregnant catkeeper's greatest fear. It can result in miscarriage, stillbirth or such birth defects as blindness, deafness, hydrocephalus or epilepsy. Since cats can become infected with the parasite by eating small mammals or birds, it is best to keep your cat indoors. Now is not a good time to befriend strays, as they may already be infected.

Toxoplasmosis cysts are shed in the feces of infected animals. Since cats often use gardens as litter boxes, wear gloves when gardening and when you are washing raw vegetables and fruits, handling raw meat or scrubbing food prep surfaces. You should also avoid rubbing your eyes until your hands have been washed. And do not eat or feed your cat raw or undercooked meat. To prevent any cysts that are passed in the feces from becoming infectious, scoop fecal matter at least twice a day. Better yet, use your "delicate condition" to get your mate to handle the dirt detail.

Some cats resemble little old maids who cannot tolerate change. These are the cats most likely to be affected by a new baby, so use the entire pregnancy to slowly prepare them. Play tapes of baby noises to acclimate your cat to the new sounds he's about to hear, or rub baby lotion on your hands before engaging in a pleasant activity with him to create positive associations with baby odors. Set up nursery furniture as soon as possible, and allow him several weeks to investigate before you select surfaces to declare off limits—such as the changing table and crib—so that he can see there's nothing scary here. However, don't make it so comfortable that he'll want to nap on them. Then, at least one month before the baby arrives, make the surfaces unwelcoming. Cut sheets of cardboard to the size of the furniture surfaces and cover one side with double-sided adhesive/masking tape. Cats tend to avoid sticky surfaces, and by the end of the month, he should steer clear of these sites.

If the litter box has been kept in the soon-to-be nursery, begin several months ahead of time to move it a few inches a day to its new location. If the transition is made too quickly, your cat may return to soil in his old spot. Covering that area with a solid object like a diaper pail or dresser may deter him.

Finally, any cat care routines that will be shifted from new mother to mate after the baby arrives should actually be switched one to two months before the birth. These might include feedings, grooming, play sessions and sleep partners/locations. If these were always shared activities, the change will make little difference to the cat. If not, the cat will need time to adjust to the style and skills of the new caregiver.

. . . And After Birth
When you first arrive home from the hospital, peacefully greet your cat in a quiet room without interruption. Once you've had a few minutes to reconnect, let in everyone else—mate, baby, grandparents, baby nurse and assorted well-wishers. Unless your cat is extremely social, he will flee the hoopla and go into hiding. Once things settle down, he will come tiptoeing back.

Place a used receiving blanket or piece of infantwear in a quiet area where the cat can investigate it. When nursing, allow the cat to approach and check things out. If he follows you into the nursery at naptime, make sure he doesn't jump into the crib. While there's certainly no truth to the myth that cats suck the air out of babies' lungs, a newborn does not have the capacity to turn over or even move her head at first. A heat-seeking cat who chooses to cuddle up close to the baby's face could make it difficult for the child to breathe. Close the door to the nursery when the baby is napping. If there is no door to close, either install a temporary screen door or hang mosquito netting over the crib to keep the cat out. These precautions also prevent the cat from urinating in the crib, something he may try if extremely stressed.

With the baby safely at rest, now's the perfect time to grab a catnap with your favorite feline.

Answer 4

I am so glad that you haven't been sick yet from this. The precautions you were taking are good, but please do not clean the litter box or the cat yourself again while you are pregnant. Your immune system isn't at it's best during pregnancy, and it could be very dangerous to you and your baby if you were to get toxo. Leave the litter alone for the last month of your pregnancy, and best of luck on your new baby.

Answer 5

I had this concern when I was pregnant. My doctor had ordered a blood test to check my blood for anti-bodies to the toxoplasmosis bug. They discovered I had already had a previous infection & had anti-bodies present in my blood, therefore I need not worry.
Continue on in a very clean manner as you are & you, too should be fine. Mention this concern to your doctor. Maybe they can check your blood.

Answer 6

What no one tells people anymore is that, depending on how long you've had the cat, there's a good chance you've already developed toxoplasmosis, and are immune to it. Yeah, it happens. But check anyway, it never hurts to be sure.

Answer 7

Check with your local vet to find out for sure. It's nothing to mess around with and it's good you're being careful

Answer 8

As long as you take all the precautions you seem to already be taking, I think you'll be fine.