I just recently found out that I was pregnant. Up until that point I have been cleaning out the litter box daily (do to the fact that my boyfriend claims he will vomit if he has to do so). Is it very harmful? I know that it should be avoided.
2007-01-30 09:09:04 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Also, do you know if it is more if you happen to touch it or if you simply breath it in?
2007-01-30 09:27:43 · update #1
He is doing it as we speak.
2007-01-30 09:48:57 · update #2
You should not clean out kitty litter boxes during pregnancy because of the risk of catching toxoplasmosis. If you regularly cleaned the litter box before you got pregnant chances are you may have been exposed to toxoplasmosis already so would be immune to getting it again. Toxoplasmosis can affect the baby, if caught in the first trimester of pregnancy it is less likely to cross the placenta but if it does can do the most damage to the baby, in the 2nd trimester it is more likely than the 1st to cross placenta but could do less damage than the 1st and during the 3rd trimester is most likely to cross placenta but may not affect baby as much. Your doctor can give you a blood test to see if you have had toxoplasmosis but i don't think that's able to tell you how long ago you had it so you would not know if you got it while pregnant or before you got pregnant. You should talk to your doctor and cleaning the letter box needs to be your boyfriends job until the baby is born. You also need to wash hands after patting cat as there is a small chance of catching toxoplasmosis like that.
2007-01-30 10:22:50 · answer #1 · answered by bulldogfish 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It can be bad, it can cause toxoplasmosis however its quite a small chance. The cat has to have the infection, which is not all that likely to start with, it needs to be shedding the infection, you then need to get it on your hands, and eat without washing your hands. Dont be too concerned, if you go to the doctor they can actually test you for it, but in the meantime just be calm and enjoy pregnancy. And use it as an excuse for your husband to do the litter!
2007-01-30 09:23:26 · answer #2 · answered by jacks my boy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii causes a disease known as toxoplasmosis. While the parasite is found throughout the world, more than 60 million people in the United States may be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite. Of those who are infected, very few have symptoms because a healthy person's immune system usually keeps the parasite from causing illness. However, pregnant women and individuals who have compromised immune systems should be cautious; for them, a Toxoplasma infection could cause serious health problems.
2007-01-30 09:19:25 · answer #3 · answered by luvthbaby2 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No you should not do the litter boxes. There is a bacteria in there that can harm the unborn baby. Buy your Bf some of those medical masks to wear so he wont smell it so much. Or just dump it into a garbage bag.
2007-01-30 10:03:35 · answer #4 · answered by elaeblue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The rumor is that it is very harmful. However, the doc will tell you to stay away just in case. I dont think they know what the risk is really but to be on the safe side they tell you not to do it. You must make sure you wash your hands thoroughly. That is the key. My sister had a cat and did it herself and nothing happened. My sis in law had one as well and she put the cat outside when she found out. No one knows really.
2007-01-30 09:16:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to your doctor. The reason it is bad is due to a bacteria that causes toxoplasmosis...I think that's it. Anyway, it can cause birth defects. Just talk to your doctor at your next visit. Chances are you are fine, if you've been changing litter boxes for a long time, you probably already had it.
2007-01-30 09:15:05 · answer #6 · answered by acholtz@verizon.net 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk with your doctor, but most likely if your cat was a carrier of the bacteria that causes toxoplasmosis then you were already exposed, leaving you less affected by the bacteria...I'd still discuss this with your doctor.
2007-01-30 09:19:19 · answer #7 · answered by gypsy g 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can result in toxoplasmosis and potentially result in a miscarriage. Tell your boyfriend to suck it up and wear a mask. Best of luck.
2007-01-30 09:16:01 · answer #8 · answered by duckygrl21 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it could be very harmfull leading up to preganacy termination. But you should be ok right now. Just don't do it any more. Or you will be asking for trouble.
2007-01-30 09:17:02 · answer #9 · answered by cookie4me_04 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Id rather have him vomit, then your child being seriously ill. good luck. tell him to suck it up!
2007-01-30 09:40:01 · answer #10 · answered by natalie rose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋