Worried about toxoplasmosis?

Question

i am 28 weeks pregnant and didnt change, just scooped a litter box yesterday. it is an indoor only cat which ive heard is not as risky as and indoor/outdoor cat. any info on this, like what are the chances of contracting this disease, is GREATLY appreciated... thank you!!!

Answer 1

MILF is correct. About 40% of the people in the US have been exposed to it and have a lifetime immunity. Your gyn can determine if you have antibodies for it in your blood. Cats contract it by eating mice that have it.

It is only dangerous to the fetus in the first tri-mester of pregnancy when the brain and nervous system are being formed.

Answer 2

Check the CDC info online--you have a huge chance of being exposed to it if you handle raw meat. That's where most of us get our contact with it--and once you have contact then your body becomes immune.

You can also get it from working out in the garden since it's also carried in dirt.

The chance of picking it up from a litter box is remote--you need to handle the poop. If you wash your hands, you'll be ok. You can use rubber gloves or just ask someone else to scoop the litter--but it won't be IN the litter box if the cat wasn't exposed in the first place. Once a cat is exposed, they ONLY carry it for two weeks as something spreadable, and that's the only time they can spread it. Any exposure after that first time and the cat is immune and won't spread it via their feces.

So given the facts, you've probably been exposed already via the meat handling. If your cat is indoors only, it won't have been exposed (only 3% of cats actually are, it's very rare). Don't stress yourself out any more about this, it's not worth it.

Answer 3

You should be o.k.. In the future though you should be very careful. Maybe wear gloves and be cautious with the disposal of litter. It's true, since your kitty doesn't go outside, that lowers the risk considerably. Toxoplasmosis is not very common, but always something I keep in mind when changing litter or handling outdoor bird feeders, etc.
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My son, when he was 15 contracted toxoplasmosis. He had taken care of a sick bird and didn't tell me. My understanding is that the cat or bird, or rodent, only carries the virus for about 48 hours. The cat gets it from something he might have caught outside. The main problem I am concerened with is when I see young kids playing in sandboxes that are not covered after play. It is only natural for a cat to want to use a sand box.Covering it eliminates problems.

I think you will be fine, and congratulations on your baby!

Answer 4

its RARE. I took the risk and changed my cat's litter box every week from the begining of pregnancy to the very end with NO problems what so ever.

If you are that scared, then don't go near it at all. Have someone else scoop/change the litter.

I think its more threatning very early on in pregnancy.. like when everything is forming on/in the baby.. You only scooped it out once.. I am sure everything is fine. relax :)

Answer 5

This disease is transmitted through the feces of the cat specially if you get in direct contact with it. The thing is to use rubber gloves and a shovel to remove the contain of the litter box. You got to be very careful with this.
Good luck

Answer 6

IF the cat is carrying the bacteria, you would have to pretty much touch the waste with your bare hand, and then touch your food or mouth, in order to really contract the disease. It can definitely happen, but it's a slim chance.

Answer 7

If you have someone to change the cat litter box for you. What you should do is ask your Doctor about it .