Question: I have two cats and I love them very much; they are 10 and 12 years old. I have had them since they were kittens. Now I am married and expecting my first child. I have read that pregnant women should not touch cats or clean litter boxes because they can get toxoplasmosis. My cats are like my first children and I can?t imagine giving them away! They need my love and I need them. I don?t want to hurt my unborn baby either. What should I do? ? Alexandra
Answer: Congratulations on your pregnancy. You do not need to get rid of your cats. However, there are simple steps to take to avoid toxoplasmosis and to stay healthy.
Toxoplasmosis is a microscopic organism called a protozoa. It can infect many creatures. It is most dangerous when a woman is infected for the first time while she is pregnant. The protozoa can cross the placenta and damage the growing baby.
It is estimated that one-third of the human population has been infected with toxoplasmosis.
In most people it may cause mild, non-specific symptoms and most people never know they had it. Generally, you develop immunity to it and that is the end of the story. However, if a pregnant person contacts toxoplasma for the first time it can infect her unborn baby and cause more serious problems.
There is good news — iIt is easy to avoid infection. I personally have been pregnant and delivered two healthy children, while living with four cats in our home and I worked with many cats daily at work. Many veterinarians and their assistants have had healthy, happy babies.
Cats are the definitive host for this parasite and, when infected, they produce oocysts in their feces. It takes 24 to 48 hours for the oocysts of toxoplasma to develop to the stage where they can infect humans. If you make sure you clean the litter box daily, you will avoid infection. I always recommend pregnant women wear disposable gloves and wash their hands well after cleaning litter boxes.
Do not feed raw or undercooked meat to your cat. Do not let your cats outside where they may catch and eat live prey. Simply, feed your cat commercially prepared cat foods or cook all food to safe temperatures.
Many feral cats will use the soil in your yard as their litter box, so remember to use gloves while working in the garden
Humans are commonly exposed by eating raw or undercooked meats. The parasite is often encysted in the meat of food animals. Make sure you practice safe food handling and wash hands after touching raw or undercooked meat. Use a cooking thermometer to make sure foods reach the proper temperature.
For more information on toxoplasmosis and pregnancy see: www.cdc.gov/parasites/toxoplasmosis/gen_info/pregnant.html
Cheers to a happy and safe pregnancy.
Dr. Baker
Baker Veterinary Clinic
1801 S. Congress Ave.
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Read more articles by Dr. Baker | Ask her a question
Source: http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/pawshere/2012/03/08/will-having-cats-endanger-womans-pregnancy/
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