Hi,
We have never had kitties while I have been pregnant. So I was wondering what are the reasons you can't change it? What can happen? I have looked it up online and some of the things that I have read had to be myths..One said that it could make your unborn baby deaf and blind...So I was just wondering..My appt is not till May 5th so I need some advice to hold me over till then..thanks ladies
P...... Please, Please, Please let someone else change the litter box!!!
My husband has toxoplasmosis! He did get it from cats. He was lucky enough to not get it when his mom was pregnant with him. He is slowly loosing his vision, but if he had gotten it when she was pregnant he would already be blind.
It is so not worth risking it!!
This is not a myth. Cat feces can contain a parasite that causes toxoplasmosis which can be fatal to a fetus. If an animal eats raw meat as out door cats often do, this parasite is often in their stool. It is not as common in indoor cats, but either way, it is just not worth the risk. If there is someone else who can change the litter while you are pregnant, let them. If you have to do it, make sure you wear gloves. Definitley talk to your doctor to answer any questions, but in the meantime, here is a link with some more info http://www.webmd.com/baby/tc/toxoplasmosis-during-pregnan...
SO..here is a government website with the facts on what you can get from changing the cat litter and how to prevent it. It is actually something you can get pregnant or not, but which can cause sever problems during pregnancy including miscarriage, poor growth, and stillbirth. it's called toxoplasmosis.
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/prevcont/toxoplas.htm
Good Luck and congratulations on your pregnancy!!! ;-)
I had birds when I was pregnant. They said the same thing about them. Its all about the poop. I would say just have the Hub change it, or wear gloves. Wash your hands. There apparently is something in cat poop that can make you ill. Personaly, I think cleaning any animal waste, pregnant or not, can make you ill.
Just my thought,
Margaret
Yes it can make your baby deaf and blind. Some cats carry a paracite in thier feces that can be transferred to your unborn baby causing terrible birth defects. Do not change the cat box! Make your husband do it.
Cat litter along with some birds and raw meat can carry a virus (I believe it is a virus) called Toxoplasmosis. Sorry for any incorrect spelling or wording. It can cause different harmful effects to the fetus.
The effects are the most harmful if the first time you contract it is in your first trimester. Usually if you have had cats before you were pregnant you likely have already had the virus and therefore, won't pass it on. However, it is recommended that to be on the safe side pregnant women just stay away from it altogether.
CONGRATS on your pregnancy! Wishing you a healthy and happy 9 months!
HTH!
Carolyn's got it right!! My doc wouldn't let me change the rabbit cage either, and she reccomended not doing it for the whole 9 mos. I figure better be safe than sorry. (Plus it's a great excuse to get someone else to do that chore!)
Congrats!
First of - relax. I asked my doctor about this when I was pregnant. I am 37 and I have lived with indoor/outdoor cats (only one to three at a time) all of my life and changed catboxes since I was 10. I am not sure if I have been exposed to it or not (probably have) since my doctor just said "if you've had cats that long and you garden as well, you probably have come into contact and no need to do a test". I didn't know about toxoplasmosis until I was 7 months pregnant, so it was kind of an "oh well" issue with him (not a nice person). My babies are both happy and even a bit advanced (but I'm a biased Mom).
Yes, toxoplasmosis is real. You can have one or both of two tests done. You can have your cat tested. If the cat has it, get tested. If the cat does not and you have had cats before this one, still get yourself tested. You can have your doctor test you for antibodies. If you have the antibodies, it means one or more of your cats has it. It also means that you CAN change the litter. Coming into contact with it for the FIRST time WHILE you are pregnant is the problem.
If your test shows that you do not have antibodies to it, DO NOT deal with the litter AT ALL: no scooping, no changing, nothing. If your cat has access to the outside or outdoor cats, he can still catch it and bring it home. Not too sure about how it is passed, but don't let your cat lick your face, since if it's in the litter maybe it can pass from kitty kisses?
Just ask your doctor before freaking out about it. Here is a website to have your Hubby read this link on Wikipedia for you. I was always reading things and gave myself a few unneccessary scares, so I started to have my husband screen some things. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis
This has some really mind-comforting information. But if you're the type to worry about things a lot, have someone who isn't read it for you.
Well I my dr. told me in the first trimester something in the urine could possibly cause early miscarriage. I am not sure what it is in the urine that causes it but I would suggest either not changing it at all or wearing gloves. Congratulations!!
Toxoplasmosis is a one-celled parasite that is often carried by cats without symtoms. Here is somemore info. I would have someone else change the litter for you for a while. I have also heard that you should not garden in the case of wild cats getting in the garden. Here is some more info.
you can get toxemia from coming into contact with cat feces (this includes anywhere a cat might defecate, i.e. outdoors, so if you are digging in the garden, wear gloves) it's not a high risk, but if you have to change the litter, wear rubber gloves and a dust mask if possible and wash up really well afterwards. otherwise, use it as a good excuse to make hubby to the chore LOL
Do yourself a huge favor and don't change the litter while you're pregnant. Have hubby do it. Even wearing gloves isn't 100% foolproof and you really shouldn't take the chance. Toxoplasmosis is the term you can research. It isn't a myth. Better to err on the side of caution on this one.
Your husband should change it. I think even if there is the smallest chance in the world that it would harm your baby, stay away from it... why risk it?
I have had two cats for years and grew up with cats. Once I became pregnant, I am now 24 weeks, I asked my OB what the issue is because I want to ensure my baby is safe but I didn't want to get rid of my kitties. He simply said I can't change the litter box because of what is in cat fecal matter. So I have my husband changing the litter box. Believe me my hubby did not want to take that on but he did and hasn't had a problem with it. I just don't mess with the litter or touch the litter box and I know I am fine. My doctor also said a cat can lick me and lay on me and it should not be a problem. Hope this helps.
hmm... While I was pregnant m FIL would always make sure that I used the bathroom in the back of the house (instead of the one in the front b/c of the kitty litter). I always just thought he was crazy and didn't mind any way because It stinked terrible! (I am a dog person) Nice to know though for next time!
