Do cats? [Important]?

Question

Me mom says that cats have a disease in their fur that causes something in the blood of females to not be able to have children.
I just got a kitty. he's a longhair. and she is using this excuse to want to leave him in a CAGE outside even though he's a HOUSE CAT. is it true that they have a disease?

[btw im not pregnant..im 14 and this is my FIRST cat like EVER so i REALLY want him to stay inside b/c i dont want him to get sick or anything and im scared he'll get hurt or eaten or stolen cuz he's so beautiful but my mom says the reason for her losing her first baby was because of toxoplasmosis or something and she says that keeps u from having babies.]

Answer 1

toxoplasmosis

In the United States, people are much more likely to become infected through eating raw meat than from handling cat feces. People also become infected by eating unwashed fruits and vegetables. Do not just focus on cats.

It is unlikely you will become infected by petting an infected cat. The oocysts do not tend to stick to the fur like roundworm eggs might. The cat, while grooming, would generally remove any oocysts on the fur, before they become infective.

It is unlikely that you can become infected through cat bites or scratches.

Pregnant women should remember that in the United States, exposures to T. gondii through food are much more common than exposures from cat feces, however, both do occur. Pregnant women, and those planning to conceive, should check with their physicians to determine if they should be tested for exposure to T. gondii.

Answer 2

NO! That sounds absolutely absurd.
The only real risk for a pregnant woman who has a cat is the possibility of toxoplasmosis. But honestly if you've had cats before there is a good chance you've already been exposed and that's not a problem, its only if you have not been exposed before you are pregnant. It's very easy to avoid though, either have another family member clean the litter box while you're pregnant or just wear gloves and thoroughly wash your hands after cleaning the litter box. Also cats usually only have this when they are let outside and eat wild animals or raw meat (raw meat can also transfer this so take same precautions as with salmonella- wash hands and surfaces where raw meat is, cook thoroughly), they only shed toxoplasmosis for a few weeks when infected also. If the cat is a healthy indoor kitty there is absolutely no reason it needs to be outside in a cage. That's just ridiculous. You also can love and pet your cat just as much when you're pregnant as before. Sounds like your mom may be using this just as an excuse to try and get rid of the cat in general. Oh and here's a link from the CDC about Toxoplasmosis...
http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/factsht_toxoplasmosis.htm

Answer 3

The disease is called toxoplasmosis, and you can have it, and still give birth. The only problem is if you get it while pregnant. Tell your mom that in my lifetime I've had 8 cats, all found on the street, and I just got tested for toxoplasmosis in September and the test came back negative! Bring the cat inside, and speak to your gyn about the cat before becoming pregnant. Basically if you don't eat their feces, you will be fine. Give your mom the link below from the CDC and search for your own literature and try to educate your mom

Answer 4

OMG, no. Like Meg said, pregnant women shouldn't clean cat boxes because of the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis, but other than that cats are perfectly safe. Sounds like your mom is either loosing it, or just looking for an excuse to keep the cat hair out of her house.

Toxoplasmosis does not hang out in cat fur unless they're in the habit of getting cat poop stuck to their tail or something. It acts like a flu among non-pregnant people, and an exposure to it will leave you immune for about 6-9 months. If you contract it while pregnant, your baby will also get it and it can prevent proper development of brain and eyes. If you're a guy with a pregnant partner and a cat, do both of yourself a favor and scoop the cat box yourself until the kid is born.

Answer 5

Well, she's got it wrong. The only thing is the toxomoplasmosis. But for the cat to have that he'd have to be exposed to it for the first time, and he'd only be contagious for 2 weeks. Any other exposure to it and he would not shed the virus to people. You don't get it from the fur, you get it from touching the poop.

Since very very few cats ever carry this, you don't have to worry really. You're probably immune anyway. Most people have been exposed to it already and ARE immune--you can get it from working in the garden (it's in the dirt), and (most likely) from cutting up raw meat. This is where most people are exposed to it and their bodies adapt and are immune afterwards.

Here's the CDC fact sheet on it.

So IF you cat has recently been exposed and is in the 1% that's carrying it--he'll only be doing so for 2 weeks. You protect yourself by either having someone else clean the litter box, by using gloves when you clean the litter box, OR by just washing your hands with soap and water after cleaning the litter box. That's it--your mom does not have accurate information and is looking for excuses to remove your cat. There's absolutely no reason to listen to her.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

huh never heard of this...I do know pregnant women should not be in contact with litter boxes..
I have grown up with cats all my life always had 5 or 6. I am 39 now and have 5 of my own...
unless there is something new out there, I have no idea what? Outdoor in a cage is harsh...perhaps mom just does not want one..if anything they can catch diseases outdoors faster than indoor cats anyday...

Answer 8

I have no idea what you are talking about but...I have had cats my whole life, since the day I was born. still have them today. never a period that I haven't had one or more of them. I am 38 weeks pregnant today with a healthy baby boy. I am just not allowed to be around cat poop at all. The doc said that the cats have mites in there poop that are airborne. If someone has been around cats they have already become immune to this thing the cats have. I would say it is very rare to have that happen. Good luck arguing your points to her though.

Answer 9

Zoonoses (also called zoonotic diseases) are diseases that can be passed from animals to man. Most diseases are species specific. Humans don't catch cat flu despite urban legends to the contrary. Most zoonotic diseases can be avoided through good hygiene - disinfecting areas which have become contaminated, washing hands after handling contaminated items (including cats) and wearing rubber gloves to prevent infectious matter entering skin wounds. The majority of diseases pose no threat to humans and can be treated by your doctor. A few are more dangerous to those with poor immune systems and a very small minority are unquestionably dangerous e.g. rabies.

Show your mum the web article below to prove that in this instance she's got it wrong.

http://www.messybeast.com/zoonoses.htm

Answer 10

No sweety that's not true it sounds like your mom doesn't want you to have the cat I've had cats all my life and I never had that problem as a matter of fact I just got a long haired tiger tabby and my daughter is expecting we just don't let her clean the cat box, she feeds her and let the kitten sleep on her bed and she 's fine.
Good Luck Sweety.