Pregnancy Forum - Toxoplasmosis


Toxoplasmosis

Medical Questions-> Health Forums -> Pregnancy -> Toxoplasmosis

Medical Questions

Author

Message

rae_06

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 219
Location: Iowa

Toxoplasmosis Posted: 10-10-05 20:18pm


Do you think that I would have a lot to worry about having 2 housecats that we have had for a little over 2 years (they never go outside)? I dont change the cat litter or anything but today the one cat pooped on the floor, rrrrrr and my mom cleaned it with the cleaner thing we had and it uses this cleaner stuff in it, its like you spray it on the area and suck it up with the one end. She dumped the stuff in the towelet and flushed it. I went to the bathroom earlier (after it was flushed) and now im freaked out that I might get the toxoplasmosis....Am I worrying too much?? It was flushed and here im worrying, but still! Its driving me nuts..I dont want anything wrong with my baby.

lesliepei

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 07 Sep 2005
Posts: 187
Location: Canada

Posted: 10-10-05 20:26pm


As far as I know, the risk only occurs when you actually handle the cat droppings yourself. I think it is a fecal-oral transmission thing. In other words, poop to mouth....Talk to your doc about it next time you see him/her for confirmation. Just don't change the litter yourself. Hope this helps.

rae_06

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 22 Oct 2004
Posts: 219
Location: Iowa

Posted: 10-10-05 20:32pm


Thanx for ur reply. Wouldnt everyone wash their hands after touching cat poop or any kind of poop? Yuck. Im worried about something still being in the water after flushing and when I went to go pee, something splashing on me...Im such a worry freak! Lol

annarella

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 10 Jun 2005
Posts: 117
Location: italy

Posted: 10-11-05 02:29am


Hiya do u have the toxoplasmosis anti-bodies?, I think only people who haven't got the anti-bodies are at risk. At least that what my doc said, because when I got my first blood tests done, it came out that I don't have the antibodies to protect me from toxoplasmosis, so I have to be careful around cats poop etc . If you havent got the anti-bodies, I think you'll be ok anyway, coz like leslie said, I think its only a prob if u come in direct contact with the poop that u may have probs. Anyway thats all I know bout this topic xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

lil_blaze2004

Supporter

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 6492
Location: ,

Thanks: 1

Thanked:0

Posted: 10-11-05 07:30am


I had 4 cats while preggo and just had my bf do the litter, he kept doing it till I stopped breastfeeding too. It's just the litter they don't want you touching, but like the above poster said. Most people who've had cats in their lives for a while already have the antibodies, they just want to be on the safe side.

Kayi

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 28 Dec 2005
Posts: 4
Location: Monterrey

Posted: 12-28-05 13:55pm


Hi, somebody might tell me, I have toxo antibodies, ( apparently high) and my doctor says that is the cause why I have had 3 miscarriages (5 to 7 weeks each), is it possible? I'm desperate! I really want so much have a child and I love so much my cats do I really need to get away from them? I really wish there is another cause. Thank you :d :d :d kayi

Angel_Who_Crys

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 23 Aug 2005
Posts: 181
Location: In The Darkness

Posted: 12-28-05 14:00pm


My mom had my brother 4 yeas ago. We have 3 cats, she changed the litter and everything. My brother was fine. Im now 20 weeks pregnant my self and so far having cats around me has made no efect to my baby at all. I wouldn't wrry.

poohbear101

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 30 Nov 2004
Posts: 383

Posted: 12-28-05 17:19pm


It's just the cat litter that you shouldn't touch. Having cats around you themselves isn't anything to worry about. Just don't change the litter.

fatfamily02

Extremely EHEALTHy

Joined: 20 Jul 2005
Posts: 3050
Location: Georgia, USA

Posted: 12-29-05 00:23am


You have to get the "bugs" from the kitty litter into your mouth. Only way to get it. .Do .Not change the kitty box, or touch kitty poop .Do .Not touch the kitty's butt(which im sure you wouldnt, unless by accident) if you do come in contact with litter or kitty's butt-(kitty poop)--.Wash .Your .Hands really good. If you handle kitty (which you know all of us do), .Wash .Your .Hands really good. Especially before putting fingers in your mouth(yummy fried chicken fingers) or touching your foods. Old post----ooooops!!!!

JennyJ

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy

Joined: 29 Nov 2005
Posts: 195
Location: Alabama

Posted: 12-29-05 08:12am


One thing people don't realize is that you can't touch the cat either! The cat licks it's butt, then licks it's fur. It is carried in the cats poop so it only makes sense.

diamondsz

Extremely EHEALTHy

Joined: 07 Oct 2005
Posts: 3173
Location: , Candyland-Canada

Thanks: 74

Thanked:104

Posted: 12-29-05 08:32am


Usually anyone who was raised with cats in the family have the antibodies to it, just get the dr to check when u get ur next blood test done cause they will probally check for rubella antibodies as well. Dont flip, your cats not going to kill you lol!!

tigresacanela24

Especially EHEALTHy

Joined: 11 Nov 2005
Posts: 5261
Location: Treat your children well, eventually they'll choose your nursing home.

Posted: 12-29-05 08:48am


I heard that it's not only a direct contact thing but also like airborne germs. My doc actually warned me away from my dogs poo. My husband normally handles it but in case of an accident I picked up these little face masks like doctors wear. But in your case I seriously wouldn't worry. And if it bothers you that much just throw some bleach into your toilet bowl and flush. Bleach kills germs.

Kayi

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy

Joined: 28 Dec 2005
Posts: 4
Location: Monterrey

Posted: 01-09-06 00:50am


Thanks for your answers. Does anybody has had a igm & igg toxo test? Could you tell me about your results and the method utilized? I have two made with different methods an range of reference. Just for the facts thank you kayi

chrissy721

Active User, Really EHEALTHy

Joined: 21 Jul 2005
Posts: 817
Location: Somewhere out there

Thanks: 1

Thanked:0

Posted: 01-09-06 17:17pm


Haha, I can't imagine my hubby changin the litter box when i'm pregnant. Haha, he'll have to though and i'm going to love every minute of it! Isn't that terrible or what!

hopefulmjz

Extremely EHEALTHy

Joined: 31 Mar 2005
Posts: 4777
Location: , USA

Thanks: 3

Thanked:11

Posted: 01-09-06 17:51pm


I talked to my Dr. About this since I have a cat and she said that not all cats caryy the parasite. You can take your cat to the vet and get it checked. It's not the litter itself that's the problem, it's the cat poop. If your cat is a carrier, and you have nobody to clean your litterbox perhaps use gloves and be very careful and be sure to wash your hands good with antibacterial soap and hot water. -hopefulmjz

~*~Jillian~*~

Extremely EHEALTHy

Joined: 01 Feb 2005
Posts: 1759
Location: Tennessee, USA

Posted: 01-09-06 19:03pm


I was told not to change the litter box....And if I did to use a mask...And wash my hands afterwards...Its okay to have cats in the house as long as you have someone else to change the box for you...I asked my doctor that question at the beginning of my pregnancy...But once the baby is born you dont want the cats loose because they can breathe in the babys face...(milk smell attracts them) and makes baby lose their breathe ...So I would get them a kennel..Or take them to a family members house.....Thats what I did..!

~rubmybuddahbelly~

Active User, Really EHEALTHy

Joined: 08 Jan 2006
Posts: 752
Location: :( N.O. Evacuee now in TEXAS

Posted: 01-10-06 23:19pm


All I have herd about dealing with cats is... That you shouldn't handle the cat yourself and dont let the cat scratch you... And other then that your fine..