Cats and Prego women?!


Question: My sister is Prego and has a cat... I know that she can't change the litter.. Does Anyone Really KNOW What it can Cause if you do it??


Answers: My sister is Prego and has a cat... I know that she can't change the litter.. Does Anyone Really KNOW What it can Cause if you do it??

It's called Toxoplasmosis and it comes from the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Humans can get it from changing the litter box, working in the garden, or playing in sandboxes where cats have pooped. We can also get it by eating raw or undercooked meat with the tissue cysts present. It can pass through the placenta to the fetus. And there's no cure to treat the permanent damage from prenatal infection. Your sister should wear gloves if she MUST change the litter box, and it needs changed daily. The oocysts in the infected cat's stool require several days to become infective. She should keep the cat indoors so it can stay away from stray cats. And she needs to wash her hands very well after handling the litterbox. There is also a slight inhalation risk. If the protozoan parasite gets into the human, it lodges in the brain and causes damage. It can cause a slower reaction time and may increase risky behavior. Not something a mom to be wants to pass on to her unborn fetus!! Hope this helped!

pay some 1 to change it

toxoplasmosis. google it!!!

Either she or the baby could die, I think. That's why it's a good idea for pregnant women to stay away from the cat litter. It's a certain bacteria/virus or something that affects pregnant women for some reason.

The danger is called Toxoplasmosis. If a pregnant woman inhales cat litter dust that is infected with the germ (which comes from infected cat feces) it can cause birth defects in the fetus.

"...people with a weakened immune system, such as those infected with HIV, and fetuses, may become seriously ill, and it can occasionally be fatal. The parasite can cause encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) and neurologic diseases and can affect the heart, liver, and eyes."

That is an excerpt of the Wikipedia articel relating to toxoplasmosis, which is why you want to avoid cat litter pans during pregnancy.

the ammonia in cat pee can cause birth defects,the dust and particles can caus toxemia

Some cats can carry Toxoplasmosis. It can cause miscarriage and birth defects.
It is recommended that someone else takes care of the litter box if that is not an option then she needs to wear gloves and a mask and change the box daily. Then wash her hands.
However cats are not the only way someone can contract a Toxoplasmosis infection.
I had a baby with hydrocephalus and we think toxoplasmosis caused it. My doctor didn't test for it though because he thought that because I lived in California for nine months I was a drug addict.

Here's a good article that covers your question and offers additional helpful information for your sister to have.


Human Pregnancy, Babies, and Your Cat
From Gary Loewenthal

Part 1: Expecting a Baby?
You do NOT have to get rid of your cat!
Now that I have your attention:

Pregnancy when you have a cat presents some challenges, but don't worry, none of them are even remotely insurmountable. You just need a little planning and know-how. Cats and babies have coexisted peacefully for thousands of years. This article deals with preparing for a new baby; the second part of this series discusses what to do once baby arrives.

First, some common questions and myths. No, cats do not suck the air out of a baby; that is an old wives tale. Yes, it is theoretically possible for a cat to inadvertently suffocate a baby, although there are no reliable reports of that ever occurring, and it's easy enough to block kitty's access to the crib (more details below).

The Facts About Pregnancy and Cat Litter

Next, toxoplasmosis.

Because toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects in children, pregnant women sometimes assume that they must get rid of their cat. This is entirely unnecessary, as a few simple measures will thoroughly safeguard against catching the disease, especially from your cat. Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a parasite that can infect your cat if she eats prey already harboring the parasite or comes into contact with contaminated soil. Toxoplasmosis is rare among indoor-only cats.

Note that cats who contract toxoplasmosis do not always show symptoms. To prevent getting infected with the disease, whenever you scoop or clean the litter box, wear disposable gloves and wash your hands immediately afterward. Even better, get a friend or adult member of the family to take over litter box maintenance while Mom is pregnant.

Eating raw or undercooked meat is the most common way that humans contract toxoplasmosis. If you eat meat, wash off all surfaces and utensils that touched raw meat, and don't prepare meat and raw foods like salads on the same cutting board. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.

If you garden, wear gloves when working in the soil. The toxoplasmosis parasite lives in the dirt, so also wash your hands well after gardening. Many people naturally acquire an immunity to toxoplasmosis, and will not pass it on to their unborn child. Your doctor can test to see if you are in this group.

Planning Ahead for the Introduction

Let's look now at how we can get your cat to accept your new baby with open paws. From your cat's point of view, a baby who shows up with no advance warning is a loud, threatening, and attention-stealing invader. It doesn't have to be this way. Babies and cats can be buddies. The key to getting a cat to accept a major jolt to her routine is soften the blow and introduce the change gradually. In the case of a new baby, you want your cat to be as used to baby stuff as she can possibly be beforehand, so that when your baby comes home, kitty is not totally shocked by this very interesting human life form.

Get kitty used to baby sounds and smells. Long before the big day, wear the baby lotions and powders that you will be using. Let kitty sniff you, and help her develop positive assocations with the new scents by praising her and giving her a treat.

Get a recording of a baby crying - possibly from a neighbor or relative who has a baby. You can also tape babies crying in a pediatrician's waiting room. Play the tape for kitty, starting with low volume and short length, and working up to full volume and duration. Again use positive attention and treat rewards.

If at all possible, invite a friend or family member with a baby to come over, with their baby, for a short visit, followed by a longer visit. Or two or three. During the visits, let kitty walk around, but it's best to have baby sitting on a lap.

A baby seat or playpen might work well, also. Play with your cat as long as you don't bother or scare the baby.

If you're building or preparing a nursery, give kitty a chance to become used to the new setup one step at a time. Let her get her curiosity throughly out of the way. Remember to keep up your daily interactive play sessions. Make kitty feel like she's a part of all this, not an outsider.

Set up the crib long in advance of baby's homecoming. Make the crib uninviting (to a cat). Fill several soda cans with pennies and tape the openings of each can. Fill the crib with these soda cans. If this doesn't deter kitty, you can buy netting that fits over the crib.

You can also block access to baby's room by installing an interior screen door - this is actually quite effective.

Give kitty plenty of exposure to toys, mobiles, and other baby accoutrements. You want all these things to have lost their novelty for her weeks before baby comes home.

Keep your cat's routine the same as much as possible. This won't always be easy between the hubub of visitors and houseguests and preparing for a new baby, but the effort is well worth it. A predictable routine reduces cats' stress and prevents a host of problems. Ask others to help make sure that your cat gets fed, brushed, and played with in the usual manner.

Don't go overboard and give your cat extra, compensating attention prior to the baby's arrival because it will be impossible to keep that up once you have a baby at home to take care of. But do enlist family members to help kitty feel like a valued member of the family. Let all the adults and kids in your household know how they can help keep both kitty and baby safe, happy, and on peaceful terms.

How to do this is explained in the next article - "How to Have a Happy Baby and Kitty Under One Roof."...

You can access this article and "How to Have a Happy Baby and Kitty Under One Roof." using the link below.

cat scratch fever hasn't been found for years. Worst case, her hubby has to do the catbox





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