pregnancy and litterboxes/outdoor cats

[pavelover]

Hi. I was just reading a post from june when Monarch was talking about her sil and her pregnancy. Someone mentioned the litterboxes and risk of toxoplasmosis. I had heard that the woman shouldn''t change the litter. but also, the cats being indoor only was mentioned. Is this important when you are pregnant? I have two cats who have a litterbox, but they spend a good amount of time outdoors. I didn''t realize this was an issue. Does anybody know?

 

[ellaila]

Hi Pavelover,

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite that cats can carry -- they can release it in their feces, which is why you shouldn't clean the litter box if you're pregnant (it can carry from the mom through the placenta to the baby). All cats are potential carriers, but outdoor cats have greater risk because they could get it from eating another infected animal. Indoor cats could get it from eating raw meat or something like that.

I've cleaned the litter a few times (22 weeks pregnant) when absolutely necessary, but I always wear those big yellow gloves and wash with reaaaaalllly hot soapy water after!

If you google it, you can find some good info on it. Hope that helps!

http://www.cdc.gov/Ncidod/dpd/parasites/toxoplasmosis/toxoplasmosis_brochure_8.2004.pdf

 

[pavelover]

hey thanks so much for the link. good advice I think. It doesn''t sound like I need to try to keep my cats indoors. just have my fiance scoop the box daily.

 

[monarch64]

There oughta be a law...LOL...that men have to change the litter when their ladies are preggo! As if morning sickness weren''t enough, who wants to change cat litter? Glad you got the lowdown on this, pavelover!

 

[divergrrl]

Hey! I am pregnant, and a cat owner, this is my 2nd baby, so I''ll share what my doc told me.

It''s kinda rare to get toxoplasmosis, especially if you''ve had cats all your life like me, you''ve probably already been exposed. (super mild flu like symptoms that pass mostly unnoticed in a healthy adult that is not pregnant). They can test your blood for it.

Even so, if you are pregnant, whether your cats are indoors or outdoors, do not change litter boxes and always use latex gloves when working in the garden (since outside kitties use flower beds as potties...neighbor cats are notorious offenders in our area).

I''m a freak about wiping down my counters & squirting my cat with a water bottle when she jumps up there (almost have her broken) cuz litter box+ kitty feet + kitchen counters is simply disgusting to me. I hit my granite with antibacterial stuff before I do any and all prep.

Toxoplasmosis is very dangerous to a developing fetus, but you can still cuddle your kitty and not worry. Mine sleeps next to me each night.

HTH

 

[pavelover]

hey thanks diver. that is a relief because I don''t think I could get my cats out of my bed even if I tried. he,he. I swear they think it is their bed instead of ours. The looks you get when you accidentally nudge them. yeesh!

 

[rainbowtrout]

Well, the organism only becomes viable in the stool after 24 hours, so a simple way to lower your risk is to have DH clean the litter every 12 hours, so 2x/day.

Also just have him clean it, and put it in a room away from the bathroom or kitchen, why not for peace of mind.

Personally my apt is too small for me to not get grossed out by dirty litter, so I often change it up to 3x/day....lowers the risk a lot.


You could also get tested to see if you already have been infected, I *think,* may be making that up.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

It is rare. Even rarer if you grew up with cats BUTTTTT......DH has taken over the litterbox duties (with no fight from me!)

I figure he can handle it. Our cats our like our children and I could never get rid of them. If you HAVE to clean it yourself just make sure you wash your hands really well afterwards.

 

[pavelover]

thanks all for the input. It sounds like I know what to do. Now if I can just convince my fiance. I am not sure why but he really isn''t too excited about it. What will he do when he has to change a stinky baby diaper? hmmmmm...

 

[divergrrl]

Pave: you could always go for the dramatic & say "toxoplasmosis can KILL an unborn fetus--there is no choice but for you to change the litter box, end of story". See, I''m Catholic, & dishing out guilt comes easy to me.

FWIW, my dh didn''t act too excited either, but...I''ve never gotten one complaint out of him with either pregnancy. So, maybe its just that "men speak less words per day than women" thing and he realizes it, but is not vocalizing it. He knows he has to change it, but how excited can one man get about a box of sh!#?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I like the guilt method too. I mean come on! It is the least HE can do! Plus there is a medical reason (even if it is rare...shhhh...he doesn''t need to know that!)