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Toxoplasmosis

KataMarieKataMarie
in North Carolina Babies

Ok, so I've been looking around the internet about the scooping kitty litter while pregnant. Now, depending on what you want to hear, you can find an answer.  The one thing I find interesting is that everyone goes on and on about the kitty litter, but until I was researching, I didn't know you can also get it from undercooked meats. 

So my dilemma is: We have 3 (purely inside) cats and DH travels for work, so him keeping up with the litter box would not happen. I've been wearing a N95 mask and gloves to change the litter box, but my doctor's office said, to not get anywhere near it. I also haven't found an automatic clean with really good reviews, or the good review is for a one cat household.

Depending on where you look, people say "change it every day, it takes 24 hrs to form," "less likely in indoor cats" or "it can only stay alive for one week inside the cat, 24 hrs outside." It's all really jumbled.  One person said their doctor told them to get rid of their cats (umm yeah, not happening!!).

Thoughts?

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Re: Toxoplasmosis

  • crescentmoon99crescentmoon99
    From what I read when I was pg, toxoplasmosis is something outdoor cats get from digging in dirt (and you can get it too from digging around in your flower beds).  I don't think indoor cats can have it, and even if they did, if you wear gloves and wash your hands, you wouldn't get it anyway.  It's an easy excuse to make DH clean it while you're pg, but if he's OOT I think you are fine with a mask and gloves!
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  • raceyraeraceyrae

    imagecrescentmoon99:
    From what I read when I was pg, toxoplasmosis is something outdoor cats get from digging in dirt (and you can get it too from digging around in your flower beds).  I don't think indoor cats can have it, and even if they did, if you wear gloves and wash your hands, you wouldn't get it anyway.  It's an easy excuse to make DH clean it while you're pg, but if he's OOT I think you are fine with a mask and gloves!

    I've been told the same thing -- but I still make DH do it :).  However, in your situation, I think you should be fine just wearing a mask and gloves. 

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  • uncjulesuncjules
    DH emptied the litter box when I was pregnant, but I used a mask and gloves when he was out of town. I think you can have your cats tested for toxoplasmosis so then you would know if you need to worry about it at all. I would just call your vet to see what it entails and how expensive it is.
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  • jenwilljenwill

    My friend is a vet tech (for over 10 years) and said that toxo is really not a risk unless your cat goes outside. That it would be really rare for an indoor cat to get it.

    Also, I'm not sure why your OB would say it's not ok to change the litter with an N95 and gloves. If that alone can protect you from TB and other diseases, not sure why it wouldn't protect you from toxo. I think you may just have a very conservative OB.

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  • CurbsideProphetCurbsideProphet
    My understanding is you do not want to be exposed for the first time while pregnant. You can get a blood test to see if you have already been exposed. If not, then I would just be extra careful.
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  • nativemama12nativemama12 member
    I have 2 outdoor/indoor cats and my hubby is gone 8days, home 6days...during the time I would just wear mask and gloves, I also got a blood test to see if I had any immunity to Toxo...which, I didn't, so I wore the mask/gloves every time...and can't believe a Dr would tell someone to get rid of their cat!
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  • KataMarieKataMarie

    imagenativemama12:
    I have 2 outdoor/indoor cats and my hubby is gone 8days, home 6days...during the time I would just wear mask and gloves, I also got a blood test to see if I had any immunity to Toxo...which, I didn't, so I wore the mask/gloves every time...and can't believe a Dr would tell someone to get rid of their cat!

    I know right! I love my fur babies! I'd have a much more difficult time getting out of bed in the morning if Jimi wasn't jumping on me as soon as she hears my alarm.

    And jenwill: I was thinking the same thing. If they're good enough to use against harmful chemicals in our lab, I thought for sure it'd be sufficient against toxo!

    Thanks ladies!

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