I had to change my kitty litter today, 30 weeks pregnant, washed hands twice, what are chances of toxoplasmosi

Question

I had to change it, my sense of smell is heightened and it was making me sick.

Answer 1

you should be fine--even if your cat had/has it--you are far enough along that baby wouldnt be harmed at this point.
& you did wash your hands..
but-always check with your doctor

when I was 5 months-we got a kitten from a shelter & he ended up scratching me (not purposely) but I was fine.

Answer 2

You have had cats probably sometime, so chances are you are already immune to it anyway.
Don't worry
here is some info for you
What can I do about my cat?

If all this sounds serious, it is. But it doesn't mean you need to put your cat up for adoption when you get pregnant. Keep in mind that even if you've been infected with the parasite in the past, it only remains active for about six to nine months. Cats are only infectious for a limited time, too -- a cat will pass on the parasite for about three weeks after being infected.

Besides, handling the cat box isn't the only way you can get toxoplasmosis -- you can also get it by eating or handling undercooked meat or digging in a garden or sandbox where an infected cat has left feces. The parasite can also be found in unpasteurized milk, insects and water that have been in contact with infected feces, and unwashed fruits and vegetables that have come from infected soil.

Although toxoplasmosis can cause serious problems in babies, it can be easily avoided by following some simple precautions:

•Let someone else change the cat's litter box if you're pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If that's not possible, wear disposable gloves to change it, and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.
•Change the litter every day -- the parasite doesn't become infectious until at least 24 hours after it lands in the litter box.
•Never give your cat raw or undercooked meat.
•Avoid handling stray cats or kittens (kittens are more susceptible to the parasite).
•Keep your cat inside if possible, so it won't be likely to dine on birds and rodents.
•Avoid sandboxes -- cats often use them as litter boxes.
•Wear gloves when you garden, and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
•Wash your hands with soap and water after touching dirt, sand, raw meat, or unwashed vegetables.
•Wash cutting boards with hot, soapy water after every use.
•Wash or peel uncooked fruits and vegetables before eating them.
•Rid your house of cockroaches and flies as much as possible -- they can carry infected soil or feces.
•Make sure the meat you eat is thoroughly cooked. It should have an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, and juices should run clear, not pink. (Freezing meat for several days before cooking it can also help prevent infection.) This is important because toxoplasmosis can also be transmitted directly to a person from undercooked meat that contains the parasite.
•Never drink untreated water. Be particularly careful about drinking tap water if you travel to countries that don't have safe water systems.
With care, expecting moms can easily avoid the disease -- and keep the cat around to welcome the new baby.

-- Nancy Montgomery is an associate editor at Consumer Health Interactive.

Answer 3

If you must change the litter then wear rubber gloves and use a face mask to cover your nose and mouth. The best solution would be to get someone else to change the litter for you.

Answer 4

I think that when they do the blood tests at the beginning of the pregnancy they test to see your level of your immune system. My doctor asked me if i had pets and when I said yes, she checked it off. I think that it would be ok and that its more likely to hurt you if your immune system were depressed, and she would have said that if you got it checked. That being said, I'm still worried lol. As we speak my dog is getting into the litter box and im too scared to take the poop out of his mouth lol

Answer 5

If you've had your cat for a while, you've probably developed an immunity to it, but call your doc if you're worried. They can test you for that. If you are infected, there's 60% chance your baby is too. But if you washed your hands youre probably safe anyway.

Answer 6

slim but you shouldn't be doing that or breathing the litter ask some else to do it 4 u

Answer 7

if your cats are in door cats you should be fine....


and even so you should be fine as long as you didnt eat or touch your mouth or nose between the litter and sink.

Answer 8

It depends on if you have an outdoor or indoor cat.
If you must do it pick up some masks and disposable
gloves.

Answer 9

I would worry about breathing the litter dust.

Ask your doc!!!

Answer 10

Probably very slim.

To be honest though, I would never have touched it in the first place.