Do you intend to bring a baby into your home soon? Congratulations! Becoming a parent changes your life in every way. The new arrival will impact everyone in your household, including dogs. That leads us to today’s topic: cats during pregnancy. If you’re expecting, you may have heard rumors about the risks of touching a cat while pregnant. There is a lot of misunderstanding about this topic. We’re pleased to correct the record! A neighborhood Cedar City, UT veterinarian provides some light on this below.

What is Toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The vast majority of persons afflicted are asymptomatic. Fortunately, the majority of instances are modest, resulting in flu-like symptoms, nausea, and vomiting. However, difficulties can develop from time to time. These can lead to more serious disorders and damage important organs like the brain, lungs, heart, eyes, and liver.

Not everyone is prone to symptoms. People with weakened immune systems are more likely to develop problems. Unfortunately, it can also harm unborn fetuses.

Here are a few key points on it:

• The Toxoplasma gondii parasite is a single-celled organism. Bacteria, certain algae, and protozoa are all single-celled creatures.
• It is probably more prevalent than you realize. Toxoplasma is a parasite carried by about 40 million Americans. That works out to around one in every five.
• One in every five Americans carries the Toxoplasma parasite.
•  Some other countries may have infection rates of up to 95%.
• Toxoplasma gondii is the leading cause of death from foodborne illness in America.
• The parasite can be found around the world.
• Severe toxoplasmosis can cause significant damage to the brain, eyes, and other organs.
• Most persons with healthy immune systems will not experience any signs or consequences.
• People with impaired immune systems and pregnant women are more vulnerable.
• Even if your cat tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii, they are unlikely to shed infectious parasites.
• Most cats are asymptomatic.
• Cleaning up kitty litter is also quite efficient at preventing spread. The cysts are not contagious for up to five days after being discharged in feces. As a result, daily scooping is quite beneficial in terms of infection prevention.
• Keeping your cat inside can also help prevent exposure. This not only prevents Fluffy from dropping dead mice on your doorstep, but it also helps to safeguard nearby wildlife.

Ask your Cedar City, UT vet for more information.

How Does Toxoplasmosis Affect Cat Owners?

This is when things get a little confusing. As you may be aware, the toxoplasma parasite has the potential to influence the human brain and behavior. How this plays out, and how cats enter the picture, is a bit of a tall tale. Let us just say that it is one of nature’s most remarkable symbiotic connections.

Surprisingly, one of the effects of toxoplasmosis on the brain is a reduction in fear. You can probably predict what happens when a mouse with a suppressed phobia of cats comes into contact with a hungry feline. (Spoiler: it probably won’t end well for the mouse.) According to studies, infected rats are less startled by the smell of cat urine than uninfected rats. To put it another way, this parasite helps Fluffy hunt. In exchange, she helps by dispersing it through her excrement.

How Does Toxoplasmosis Spread?

There are several methods in which people can contract the parasite. One method—and the one we are focusing on—is to come into touch with an infected animal’s feces.

Other potential modes of transmission include the following:

•  Consuming uncooked or undercooked food.
•  Contact with tainted cat excrement, whether while gardening or changing the litter box.
•  Congenital Transmission from infected mother to fetus
•  Organ transplants
•  Blood transfusions

As for our feline pals, kitties can contract toxoplasmosis after ingesting infected small animals. This is not surprising given that cats in the wild eat mice, birds, and other tiny creatures. The parasite is shed—or spread—via the cat’s excrement. It can live for months. It thrives in soil, water, food, sandboxes, and pastures. Litterboxes and other places where an infected cat may have defecated pose the greatest risk.

How Can I Lower My Chances of Getting Toxoplasma Gondii Infection?

Fortunately, it’s a lot easier than you may think. Just simple precautions can go a long way here.

Wear gloves whenever you are gardening or handling soil that may have been contaminated with feces from wild, feral, or even loose cats, as the soil may carry toxoplasma. Ideally, let someone else deal with the cat litter if you are expecting. If that is not an option, simply wear gloves while changing or cleaning kitty litter. You’d also want to scoop the litterbox daily. (Automated ones can assist with this.)

Basic hygiene will also help here. Anytime you come into contact with something that could be contaminated with toxoplasma, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water. Taking basic food safety procedures is also vital. For example, chilling meat before cooking it can help lower the risk of illness, as can using a food thermometer to ensure it is hot enough. Wash your fruit before preparing it, and avoid drinking unpasteurized milk and/or eating raw seafood.

Contact your Cedar City, UT veterinarian for further information.

Do I Need to Get Rid of My Cat?

We can’t say it enough: there is no need to rehome your cat. This is another incentive to keep your cat indoors. A cat who has never been outside is inherently less likely to get toxoplasmosis than one that is continually in and out. (We’ll save Fluffy’s habit of always believing she’s on the wrong side of the door for another time.)

Is Toxoplasmosis Part of the Crazy Cat Lady Myth?

You’ve probably heard the moniker Crazy Cat Lady. While this was intended to be slightly condescending, many people have freely accepted the moniker. Fluffy, of course, is not disturbed.

There has been a lot of uncertainty here because of rumors linking young toxoplasma gondii infection to schizophrenia. However, there is no data to support this. In reality, Cambridge researchers discovered no link between childhood cat ownership and subsequent insanity.

We can go a step further and point out that various studies have demonstrated that cats benefit us in a variety of ways.

Is It Safe To Be Around Cats During Pregnancy?

Yes, absolutely. Fluffy may actually be a great source of comfort during pregnancy. She also makes an excellent snuggle partner and playmate for small children. Simply follow the guidelines we suggested above. You may also get a catproof top for your crib to keep your feline companion out. That is it!

Keep Your Cat Healthy by Visiting Our Cedar City, UT Clinic

Is your kitty companion overdue for a checkup? Contact us, your local Cedar City, UT pet hospital, at any time. We are here to help!