Need help to calm down.

angel555

*sigh*  This is just another health issue in a long line of health issues for the two cats we got from the SPCA two months ago.  The other ones haven't affected me or my unborn baby though, and this one might, so I'm freaking out.

My boy cat, Jack, tested positive for Giardia Elisa, meaning he has had the Giardia parasite at some point in his past.  It may even mean that he currently has it.  It also may mean that he got it from the girl cat we got from the SPCA, Penny, who may currently have it.

The vet needs fecal samples to make sure, but DH is out of town until tonight, and so won't be able to get them to the vet right away.  I have to go pick up medicine for all three of my cats and start treating them right away.  

I called my OB, got a nurse, who's going to ask the doctor if I need additional screening or tests done.  

I'm freaking out.  I lost my first baby at 6 weeks to a miscarriage, and now I'm so fearful for this baby.  All because the F***ING SPCA doesn't routinely check for parasites before they let their cats be adopted.  Never mind that I told them numerous times that I was pregnant.  

Please help me calm down, ladies.  I'm really scared.

mmcrocker

I know it's easier said than done, but try not to get worked up until you hear from your OB.  I'm sure there is nothing to worry about.  Try to stay calm for your baby girl.  {HUGS}

dmsmth

Girdia is alot more common than you would think and often pets just have loose stool from it. I used to work at a vets office and of the MANY pets we had seen with Girdia I never got it.  I never got ringworm, any other types of fecal worms or mange from any of the animals and I was working with them on a daily basis.  I really think you will be ok.  Just don't lick you hands after you touch your kitties poop or pee pee.  Wash you hands after petting if you are really concerned.

KatieLM

My paralegal actually had giardia with her second child.  He is now a very handsome and very large sophomore in college.  With that said, she did say it was awful. She had to be hospitalized with iv fluids (not meaning to scare you) so yes it isn't fun but it doesn't mean miscarriage either.  Try to hang in there.  Are you feeling ok? Have you handled their liter? I would think if you have stayed away from the liter box you should be ok.

angel555

Yes, I've not handled their litter since finding out we were pregnant.  (And we found out really early--at four weeks, two weeks after conception.)  I'm feeling okay.  I'm just worried that they've tracked eggs or something into the rest of the house after they used the litter box.  Or that they've groomed their nether regions, then each other, and have dropped eggs that way.  Yup, I'm paranoid. 

But thank you ladies for your posts.  And it's especially nice to know that even if I do get Giardia it doesn't necessarily mean I'll m/c again.  

Thank you guys!

KatieLM

Maybe you should call a maid service and have the whole house really cleaned top to bottom.

Bleeding_Heart

I really wouldn't worry about it. ?Almost every animal has or has had Giardia at some point. ?People rarely get it unless they are mucking around in their animals crap and ingesting it.As far as the SPCA being negligent, Giardia oftentimes won't show up in a simple fecal test, it sometimes requires a more extensive/expensive test {Giardia Elisa} and rescue groups such as the SPCA don't necessarily have the funds to test all of their animals that extensively.?

suscq

Funny story.  When I was pregnant the first time, I rescued a puppy on a Friday night and couldn't take him to the vet until Monday morning to get checked out.  They figured out he had mange and started treating him.  A few weeks later, I started itching all over and mentioned it at my drs appt.  They assumed it was normal pg itchy skin and gave me some special lotion.  Still not better after a week, I went to my dermatologist and was diagnosed with mange!!  The next week I took the puppy back to the vet for a check-up and told my vet about it.  She just laughed and replied, "Yeah, I got that with my second child!!" 

Just remember, there are thousands of female vets and vet techs across this country that handle sick pets every day and they don't have a higher rate of miscarriage than other professions.