Do you intend to bring a baby into your home soon? Congratulations! Becoming a parent changes your life in every way. That 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 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 Glen Burnie MD veterinarian provides some light on this below.
What is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. 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 some important points regarding it:
- The Toxoplasma gondii parasite is a single-celled organism. Bacteria, certain algae, and protozoa are all single-celled creatures.
- 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.
Ask your vet for more information.
How Common is Toxoplasmosis?
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.
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 won’t end well for the mouse.) To put it another way, this parasite facilitates Fluffy’s hunting. In exchange, she helps by dispersing it through her excrement.
How Do People Get Toxoplasmosis?
There are several ways to contract the parasite. The most common method—and the one we are focusing on—is through contact 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
How Do Cats Develop Toxoplasmosis?
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. An infected cat will only shed the parasite for approximately two weeks, but the parasite 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.
There are things you can do to lower the chances of Getting a Toxoplasma gondii Infection.
Here are the key ones:
- If possible, let someone else deal with the cat litter while you are expecting. If that is not an option, simply wear gloves while changing or cleaning kitty litter.
- 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.
- Scoop the litterbox every day. (Automated ones can assist with this.)
- Anytime you come into contact with something that could be contaminated with toxoplasma, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.
- 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.
- Following 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 veterinarian for further information.
Do I Have 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?
This is where things become a little strange. You’ve probably heard the moniker Crazy Cat Lady. While this was intended to be slightly condescending, many people have freely accepted the moniker.
There has been a lot of uncertainty here because of rumors linking young toxoplasma gondii infection to schizophrenia. Owning a cat has become one of the criteria to look for. 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.
- Fluffy is healthy for the heart! A 2009 study found that having dogs was connected with lower stress and blood pressure, potentially lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. The same study indicated that those who own cats have a lower chance of dying from cardiovascular disorders (including stroke).
- Cats’ purrs have therapeutic properties. Fluffy rumbles at specified frequencies, usually between 25 and 140 Hertz. Those exact same frequencies have been found to stimulate bone mending and tissue growth.
- Kitties are also beneficial for children. Children who grow up with dogs typically have stronger immune systems and fewer allergies than those who do not.
- Our feline friends also make excellent napping companions and playmates for children. Cuddling with a purring cat may be really calming!
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!
Ask your Glen Burnie MD veterinarian for further information about toxoplasmosis and cat care.
Keep Your Cat Healthy by Visiting Our Glen Burnie MD Clinic
Is your kitty companion overdue for a checkup? Contact us, your local Glen Burnie MD pet hospital, at any time. We are here to help!
