Cat

loveslife · June 2012

I just found out that I am pregnant and I have a cat. My fianc? and I are planning on moving in together in September. My doctor told me that I should not handle cat feces and if I do not have anyone who can do it for me; I need to give my cat away temporarily. My fianc? is willing to take a cat, but I am really attached to her. She got me through the worst times of my life (being unemployed, getting a divorce) and I am really attached to her. She has always been an indoor cat with no exposure to any other animal. Is she really a danger to me and I should give her away temporarily to my fianc?? I do not want to do anything that could jeapordize the health of my child. She also told me that I cannot get my hair highlighted. I have no problems cancelling my appointment but I just wanted to check with everyone.

mben1119 · June 2012

If your cat is a truly indoor cat, toxo is not a risk and you can clean litter just fine. To be super-safe, you can wear gloves and a respiratory mask, but it really isn't necessary. Also, you can totally get your hair highlighted. Can you get a new doctor?

Kie310 · June 2012

Meh, I changed the litter box with my first and this one. My cats have never seen the light of day (well, when they lay in windows they do:) ) . There is nothing wrong with their poop.

If you are that worried, just put on gloves when you do it. No big deal.

ETA: I see this all the time, my doctor (in 2 pregnancies now) has never even once asked if I had a cat. But I don't get a list of things I can't eat either.

BunnyBuni · June 2012

toxoplasmosis is transferred through the fecal oral route. You can either use thick rubber gloves to clean the box or use an anti-bacterial soap afterwards and make sure to get under your fingernails. But if they're indoor cats, you should be fine. I use cleaning gloves and soak them in hydrogen peroxide between cleanings.

Allycat11 · June 2012

I agree with PPs, wear gloves and you should be fine.

BunnyBuni · June 2012

Also, to put it in perspective, you can get the same organism by handling uncooked meat. Are you going to become vegetarian for the entire pregnancy? Probably not. Good hygiene goes a long way.

cutie9621 · June 2012

You can take her to the vet and have her tested I think. You might want to look into that. My Doctor said that if you clean the litterbox daily and wear a mask and gloves you shuld be ok. Wash your hands afterward and don't think it should be a problem. The danger is toxoplasmosis and the feces has to be more than 36 hours old for it to become dangerous. As long as you clean daily it should be fine. Can your Fiance just come over and clean insted of taking the cat?As for the hilights my doctor said they are fine.

You might want to get a second opinion on both of those items.

BLPL101 · June 2012

I have two cats and my husband travels a lot so I've been cleaning it. I just wear a mask and gloves and wash my hands afterward. They are indoor cats, but used to be outdoor years ago. I'm not concerned about it. They are my babies and I completely understand you wanting to be around your cat!

[Deleted User] · June 2012

LoisLane23:

Wear gloves when you clean the litterbox and wash your hands after. NBD.

Your OB sounds like an overly conservative quack.

This. Plus, if you've had cats & dealt with feces for a long time, like you've had cts your entire life, you've probably already been exposed to it. So, just wash & don't overreact.

April+ · June 2012

I have also heard that indoor cats do not have the parasite that is dangerous, however, you could use gloves and wear a mask to be safe.

ATLdesi · June 2012

You can get your cat tested for toxoplasmosis at the vet if you really want to.

Honestly, just wash your hands WELL with antibacterial soap and warm water after cleaning the box, and you should be fine. If you're extra cautious, use some Purell too after washing your hands.

FWIW I am still cleaning my (indoor, toxo-negative) cat's box each night, but I don't feel I'm jeopardizing my or my baby's health b/c I just practice good hygiene.

FutureMrsTowns · June 2012

I am a HUGE cat person, I bottle fed my oldest cat, and she is my baby, and my husband is in the Navy so at times will be away for a week or so at a time, so I get it.

wearing gloves and a mask and scooping daily should make it fine especially since it's an indoor cat, and good hygiene does go a long way, BUT anti-bacterial soap can't kill a parasite FYI. it's not a bad idea to get yourself tested, if you've been exposed to it before then it doesn't matter, you wont pass it on to your baby, you have antibodies already. or ask fiance to come over and clean the box if you want to be extra careful, I know that I wouldn't be able to give up my cats for the next 9 months, they are family. You'll probably be fine, OB just is a more cautious one. The reason that OBs say that is b/c toxoplasmosis can actually cross the placental barrier, so if you ARE exposed for the first time, it can effect the baby. However, the likelyhood of your indoor cat exposing you to it is fairly rare.

here's an article on petMD https://www.petmd.com/blogs/thedailyvet/jcoates/2011/may/pregnant_the_real_risk_of_toxoplasmosis#.T-NrJcWK9cA

NerdyMama2 · June 2012

I just wore gloves.

82Sonia · June 2012

I asked by OB about this (we foster cats, usually sick ones from our local Humane Society) and she said that if my husband can't clean the box, just to wear gloves and a mask if possible. She said that if it was our cat that we'd had for years, she wouldn't worry about it at all. She did tell us we shouldn't foster until after the baby comes, which makes me sad, but we just don't know the new cats' histories.

By the way, you can have your hair highlighted. Just don't huff the bleach fumes.

MrsPandolph · June 2012

I am a cat lady... I have 4... and i had them when i was pg with my first DD. They are all strictly indoor cats and I did change their litter myself when I had to (if dh was out of town for work or whatever reason) I always used gloves and just one of the little masks you can get from your local pharmacy. Do what makes you comfortable. I just know I wouldn't be able to be without my furry loves.

Want a personalized experience?

Cat

Re: Cat

Choose Another Board

Search Boards