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#11
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toxoplasmosis
like i said, its an academic argument. she works in the childcare field and
is often involved with expectant mothers. she told me about her friend's husband who has been changing the cat litter for 4 years now (her friend told her husband that she's not supposed to change the litter while breast feeding either, and has had three children right in a row). "Jamie Clark" wrote in message link.net... Just offer to change the cat litter for her once she is pregnant. Don't bother trying to WIN this argument. Just go for the bonus points. : ) -- Jamie & Taylor Earth Angel, 1/3/03 |
#12
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toxoplasmosis
Hi Rob;
I am not 100% sure of the info I am about to give you, but this is how I understand this whole toxoplasmosis isssue. An animal (not just cats) can be a carrier of toxoplasmosis, even if it stays at home (it could have caught it from the mother) Most (if not all) pregnant women have a blood test at the beginning of their pregnancy to check for toxoplasmosis (cause it can cause defects). What many women don't realize is that it is safer to test even before conception. Also, when I had my dog, I had him checked for toxoplasmosis at the vet. (it is somewhat expensive, but better safe than sorry) A pregnant woman can clean whatever she wants to, but most pregnant women opt not to (just precautions). Besides, usually you wash your hands with soap after cleaning litter etc. The one thing that pregnant women are advised to avoid is contact with rodents (such as mice, hamsters etc) because they may carry a virus (don't remember the name of it though) that is even transferred via the air. BUT I read that it is a minute percentage of rodents (especially pet rodents) that carry that virus. Just remember that this is Info that I gathered & unfortunately, I do not have anything to support it at the time being. I found it all online though. Mona due 07-31-04 Rob wrote: I'm just having a little argument with my wife about toxoplasmosis. She insists pregnant women should not clean a cat litter box because of toxoplasmosis (note: this is just an academic debate, she is not pregnant). I think that if the cats are house cats and are not allowed out of the house, then there is no way they can carry the bacteria, thus pose zero risk. I've scoured the net and found sites that try to scare the crap out of pregnant women, others that say even outdoor cats are a tiny risk, but nothing that really discusses house cats. I'd like to find a good documented source to show that house cats pose no risk, or something proving me wrong. Thanks! |
#13
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toxoplasmosis
Hey Rob,
me again, I found this article about toxoplasmosis & cats http://www.womens-health.co.uk/toxo.htm Rob wrote: I'm just having a little argument with my wife about toxoplasmosis. She insists pregnant women should not clean a cat litter box because of toxoplasmosis (note: this is just an academic debate, she is not pregnant). I think that if the cats are house cats and are not allowed out of the house, then there is no way they can carry the bacteria, thus pose zero risk. I've scoured the net and found sites that try to scare the crap out of pregnant women, others that say even outdoor cats are a tiny risk, but nothing that really discusses house cats. I'd like to find a good documented source to show that house cats pose no risk, or something proving me wrong. Thanks! |
#14
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toxoplasmosis
Rob wrote:
I'm just having a little argument with my wife about toxoplasmosis. She insists pregnant women should not clean a cat litter box because of toxoplasmosis (note: this is just an academic debate, she is not pregnant). I think that if the cats are house cats and are not allowed out of the house, then there is no way they can carry the bacteria, thus pose zero risk. I've scoured the net and found sites that try to scare the crap out of pregnant women, others that say even outdoor cats are a tiny risk, but nothing that really discusses house cats. I'd like to find a good documented source to show that house cats pose no risk, or something proving me wrong. Thanks! Cleaning the litter box is a man's job. Get busy and do it! -- "Its the bugs that keep it running." -Joe Canuck |
#15
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toxoplasmosis
"Rob" wrote in message .. .
I'm just having a little argument with my wife about toxoplasmosis. She insists pregnant women should not clean a cat litter box because of toxoplasmosis (note: this is just an academic debate, she is not pregnant). I think that if the cats are house cats and are not allowed out of the house, then there is no way they can carry the bacteria, thus pose zero risk. I've scoured the net and found sites that try to scare the crap out of pregnant women, others that say even outdoor cats are a tiny risk, but nothing that really discusses house cats. I'd like to find a good documented source to show that house cats pose no risk, or something proving me wrong. Thanks! There is always some risk, but it's low. If mice ever come into your house, then your house cat can contract the virus by eating the mice. However, the cat is only contagious during the active infection, which lasts around 2 weeks. After that, they are immune from the disease, and don't shed the stuff in their poop. If a human is exposed to Toxo, they too will become immune, and immunity can be measured with a blood test. When I had my pre-pregnancy physical, I had the blood titre, where it was discovered that I was not immune from Toxo. When I was pregnant, I took two precautions - I wore rubber gloves when scooping, and I made sure the boxes were scooped, either by me or my husband EVERY day. Evidently, the eggs or whatever it is, hatches after a few days and gets more contagious. After scooping, I washed my hands while wearing the gloves, then I took the gloves off and hung them up to dry. I then washed my hands again without the gloves. My midwives told me to wear gloves and to wash up carefully, but told me that the risk of toxo was very, very low. Evidently you are more likely to get toxo from raw meat than from cats, but YMMV. Search for posts by Mary S. that contain the word toxoplasmosis. Her husband got it while she was pregnant. Their cat contracted it from eating raw chicken that had been left on the counter. Cathy Weeks Mommy to Kivi Alexis 12/01 |
#16
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toxoplasmosis
libbymom04 wrote:
In my opinion it is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your unborn children. I personally put my cat outside when I found out I was pregnant. The research I did when I was pregnant I found that any cat could put you at risk even if it is a small percent. You put your cat outside to fend for itself? |
#17
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toxoplasmosis
lol...I think this lady might be putting one over on her hubby! That said,
I'm ttcing and you better believe I don't do the litterbox even though we have indoor cats...I'll take any excuse! Actually, the childcare workplace is probably far more dangerous relatively speaking(check out info on Fifth Disease for example if you want a good scare for the day) That said, change the darn litter box....she's going to be carrying a human being around in her...it's a decent trade! "Rob" wrote in message ... like i said, its an academic argument. she works in the childcare field and is often involved with expectant mothers. she told me about her friend's husband who has been changing the cat litter for 4 years now (her friend told her husband that she's not supposed to change the litter while breast feeding either, and has had three children right in a row). "Jamie Clark" wrote in message link.net... Just offer to change the cat litter for her once she is pregnant. Don't bother trying to WIN this argument. Just go for the bonus points. : ) -- Jamie & Taylor Earth Angel, 1/3/03 |
#18
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toxoplasmosis
"V." wrote in message ... lol...I think this lady might be putting one over on her hubby! That said, I'm ttcing and you better believe I don't do the litterbox even though we have indoor cats...I'll take any excuse! Actually, the childcare workplace is probably far more dangerous relatively speaking(check out info on Fifth Disease for example if you want a good scare for the day) That said, change the darn litter box....she's going to be carrying a human being around in her...it's a decent trade! Oh don't even mention Fifth Disease to me - my daughter came home from school exposed - by me! Lol. Long story and what a pain. "Rob" wrote in message ... like i said, its an academic argument. she works in the childcare field and is often involved with expectant mothers. she told me about her friend's husband who has been changing the cat litter for 4 years now (her friend told her husband that she's not supposed to change the litter while breast feeding either, and has had three children right in a row). "Jamie Clark" wrote in message link.net... Just offer to change the cat litter for her once she is pregnant. Don't bother trying to WIN this argument. Just go for the bonus points. : ) -- Jamie & Taylor Earth Angel, 1/3/03 |
#19
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toxoplasmosis
Yes I put the cat outside. I wasn't about to put my child in any danger!
Not to mention I didn't want to have a cat in the house with my baby in it also. Don't get me wrong, I love my cat, and took good care of it outside. She is fine, I think she likes it better. |
#20
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toxoplasmosis
libbymom04 wrote:
Yes I put the cat outside. I wasn't about to put my child in any danger! And with appropriate precautions, you wouldn't have, even with the cat inside. Now the cat, on the other hand, is in much more danger outside. Outdoor cats have an average lifespan of only five years. Best wishes, Ericka |
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