cleaning the litter while pregnant?

Question

is it true that u cannot clean ur kitties litter if u are pregnant ? or is it u cant come in contact with thier feces(poop) on a accendent.? i have 6 cats.im 6 weeks preg. oh i have a pigeon too that ive have for about 2 weeks very tame found it outside, any harm with that being pregnant?

Answer 1

Cats are carriers of the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. The parasite lives inside of the cat’s intestines and is passed into their feces. It is more commonly found in cats that are allowed outside that might eat contaminated rats or mice. Changing cat litter may expose you to the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis. It is also found in raw meats or unwashed root vegetables.

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, is generally a mild infection with flu like symptoms. Many adults have the infection and never even realize it. If you have been infected with toxoplasmosis prior to getting pregnant, you have probably developed immunity to it. Toxoplasmosis is only a danger to your baby if you have an active infection during your pregnancy. Consequently, if you have had it before getting pregnant you will most likely not develop the infection again.

Answer 2

This is such a loaded topic. The short answer is no. The real answer is most women are not at risk for getting toxoplasmosis from their cats. In the United States, most house cats don't have this disease -- it's a much more common problem in Europe. But who wants to suddenly find out that kitty has toxoplasmosis and that mom can get an infection that can cause birth defects? So if you have a cat, have someone else change the litter. And because you can also be exposed to cat feces by working in the garden, wear gloves when gardening or make sure to thoroughly wash your hands afterward.

Answer 3

There is a very, very, slight risk of toxoplasmosis. However, the great majority of cats you can catch toxoplamosis from are feral cats, or cats who spend a significant amount of time outside. If your cats are indoor-only, you really don't need to worry about it.

You know, with all of the irrational fears people have nowadays, you would think that it's a miracle that the human race has survived until now.

Answer 4

if you can't get someone else to do it for you, wear rubber gloves and a dust mask and wash thoroughly afterward. my ob/gyn okayed this.

it's likely that you've already been exposed to toxoplasmosis (the reason it's been touted as a big no-no) if you've had cats for a while. if so, you cannot get it again. you can get tested by your doc to see if you have, and if so, there's absolutely NO RISK as the only danger is getting it for the FIRST TIME while pregnant. you can also get it from undercooked meat, which is actually more common.

edit:
there is NO danger AT ALL with having your cats around. they do not carry it on their feet. they get toxoplasmosis by eating raw meat (same way we can get it, too). so if they live exclusively indoors they are less likely to get it as well. really, your danger of getting toxoplasmosis from undercooked meat is higher that getting it from the litter. you can also get it from unwashed fruits and veggies.

Answer 5

Do not change your cats litter, and do not mess with their feces, it can contain a parasite called toxoplasmosis, which can and will harm your baby if you get it. I am not too sure about the pigeon, being that it was found outside, it could have diseases or parasites, I would recommend speaking with your Dr. http://www.justmommies.com/articles/toxoplasmosis-cat-litter.shtml
You can use this link to get more info.

Answer 6

Not too sure about the pigeon but NO CLEANING THE KITTY LITTER!! Kitty litter can contain toxiplasmosis a nasty little bug that can hurt your baby!!! Get someone else to clean it. You can go and have all your cats tested but I heard its expensive and easier to get someone else to do the job until you deliver!!

Answer 7

Toxoplasmosis is amazingly severe. My aunt's (in-regulation) sister became into contaminated mutually as pregnant. the newborn had severe delivery defects and became into on no account in a position to a very function guy or woman. She fantastically plenty spent her ~20 year life in a mattress being cared for. What got here approximately became into that they had 2 cats yet her different little ones chanced on a stray cat and delivered him abode mutually as their mom became into pregnant. He became right into a sparkling cat and that they found out too late that he became into contaminated with it. it is been mentioned already, yet once you have a cat who's contaminated basically before having pregnant then you definately've equipped up an immunity which would be handed alongside to the youngster. No issues. in case you get a sparkling cat who's contaminated then there's a danger. i might recommend not being around any new cats in any respect and staying faraway from any clutter bins at everybody else's abode. yet i would not problem approximately tending on your individual cats' clutter bins. My mum and dad had cats formerly i became into born. No issues in any respect (a minimum of i think of i'm wonderful!). I on no account asked, yet i'm fantastically advantageous my father has on no account replaced the cat clutter in his life. If i'm getting pregnant i will might desire to maintain handling the clutter too, yet i would be advantageous to not get any new cats. there is likewise a danger of it whilst handling uncooked meat. it quite is probable greater of a possibility than the cat version. as long as you had your cat(s) formerly you get pregnant each and every thing might desire to be thoroughly wonderful. yet once you're TTC stay faraway from the clutter of any new cats.

Answer 8

The bacteria in cats urine and feces can cause severe problems in pregnancy, so don't change it!! Get someone to do it for you! If they go outdoors make sure that they are all vaccinated against diseases they could get from wild animals and other cats. (That's a lot of cats - I love cats!) As for the pigeon, have you checked it for diseases? If not maybe take it to the vet and get it vaccinated if you are keeping it. You don't want to end up ill or hurting your unborn child because of a simple animal! Congrats :)

Answer 9

It's their feces that can carry the toxoplasmosis.
My doctor told me that if I have been around cats for most of my life then chances are I am already immune to it....I always changed my kitty's litter while pregnant- just made sure I wore gloves and a face mask thing (both of which can be bought at the store)

Answer 10

The bacteria in cat litter (the litter itself, not just the feces) is bad for pregnant women. Will it cause major damage? Nobody's 100% sure, but why take the chance?

You should have your partner clean the litter while you're pregnant.