Toxoplasmosis Testing / Cats & Toxoplasmosis

[reneenay]

Hi there everyone!

For the past few months I have been thinking more and more about Toxoplasmosis. I have two indoor cats and they use the kitty litter, which I have to clean every day or every second day. There was a period a year ago where I was feeding them packaged raw chicken meat for cats. Before I fell pregnant the cats would sleep in our bed but now I have kicked them out.
We are in the process of building a cat enclosure out the side of our home. They cuddle on the couch, they are up on the vanity watching me do my hair etc in the morning and I have had such trouble keeping them off the kitchen benches (horrible I know). They are like our little children really. Basically I am worried if they were to have Toxoplasmosis then I would also.

Sorry im rambling on!

Has anyone here been tested for this? Has anyone ever had Toxoplasmosis?

Is it only if you become infected during pregnancy, which is harmful to your baby?

I cant stop thinking about it.

[Saffi]

I know I was tested for it as part of the comprehensive blood test you have at the start of the pregnancy. We don't have cats but 2 dogs and while I am told dogs don't carry toxo... GP wanted to be sure.

Can't answer your other questions, but I would suggest that if you are concerned ask your GP/OB to test you for it. Better to be safe than sorry.

Know what you mean about cats on the couch, bed etc. Our dogs used to be allowed everywhere, but in preparation for bubs they aren't allowed now. We want to make sure they don't associate a change to their status and privileges with the baby and potentially hurt it. I know they're only dogs but they've been out babies for 5 years and it is tough to say no.

[kimbaz]

We have 5 cats.... and both pregnancies i have been tested and in the clear.

Not sure if its harmful only in pregnancy or in general...i thought they done it in routine testing at the start... maybe some GP's are different.

[Kazbah]

I think that most long-term cat owners prolly have already been exposed to toxo and now have the antibiodies (have read that in a few places). Its the cats that are eating mice and birds that are most at risk. But I wish I'd had the blood test myself.

[Niliac]

I have a cat (mind you she's indoors only) and I came up with no immunities, so I had to be very careful. I think the test is good because it allows you to know whether or not you are immune or if you have previously been subject to toxo.

My ob does it standard at 12 weeks.

*hugs*
Cailin

[reneenay]

Thank you so much eveyrone XOXOXOX

Ive only had my boys for 3 years, I bought Milton Mooshoo almost the same week I moved out haha. And before that I have never owned a cat because my mum was funny about cats and she loved her furniture too much.
I think I will request it at my next appointment. I dont know if there is anything they can do if I have been exposed but its better to know.
Strange that they tested for parvo virus (turns out I have had this) and not toxo.

Gosh I hope everything will be okay.

[Ozziehoffy]

I was tested in the first lot of bloods. Our cat is an indoor cat, he sleeps on our bed even now (he'd cry the house down if locked out). The only thing different now with Oskar is that I try to keep the cat off the lounge especially when feeding and he doesn't get patted as much by me unless Oskar is asleep otherwise I'd be washing my hands every 5 mins!!!

The toxo is a prob in pregnancy cos I believe it can cause disformities. Alan might be able to verify this??

[bella02]

Mmmm....you also have me thinking now!!

We have one cat - Felix the cat - who is spoilt rotton. He is part indoors/part outdoors and he does come into the bedroom only at about 5 - 6am for a snuggle each morning. All my GP told me to do was not go near the kitty litter and to make sure that DH changed it etc without me being around. She said that the toxo is mainly carried through their poo and if they then lick their bottoms (sorry TMI), then it can be around their mouth - but not as strong or problematic as directly in their poo. She mainly just said to wash my hands regular after being around him.

I don't think I have been tested - is it too late to be tested now?? I am 21wks....

[christy]

Toxoplasmosis is spread through their poo, and it must be 24 hours old during a certain point of the virus in the cat. So... its pretty hard to get, because you have to get the right poo at the right time into your mouth. Use clean practices and avoid the litter & its all good The other thing about toxo is if you have been exposed to it before, you don't have to worry about it.

The main concern about cats is catching mice or wildlife that maybe carrying the disease, or eating raw offal or something like that which wouldn't have been handled in a safe manner.

HTH!

[christy]

LOL Shannon Sorry!!! Didn't mean to offend.... I should clarify to those who don't know either, I'm a vet nurse & spent many years cleaning cat's poo so was very concerned about toxo when I found out I was pregnant, but after 8 years of cleaning litter trays for cats and some with toxoplasmosis at that time I have not been exposed.

[Kazbah]

Does the skin crawl because of all the spiders' feet underneath it?

*grins*

Well I'm phoning up the OB to see if that test was ever done on my bloods ...

[reneenay]

I cant get away from cleaning the litter but I wash my hands with detol wash straight after. I also use the kitty litter liners too. Geeez look at me trying to convince myself. And if im home and they have gone to the toilet I will use toilet paper to pick it straight up and flush it down the toilet.
DH didnt want cats in the first place (he doesnt like them) and it took me a while to talk him around. So now im pregnant DH wants the cats out out OUT. So he wont do the kitty litter for me hoping I will let them outside instead. What a meanie!

[LuluHB]

Very mean DH!! Poor puddies. I've got DH cleaning the kitty litter out (and doesn't he just LOVE that!!) but otherwise, our puddy still sleeps on the bed and snuggles up on the couch each night. She actually goes to DH more than she does to me for snuggles cos he's so patient and doesn't mind her walking all over him, but I have a feeling she's going to get her nose put out of joint when she realises she's not the only baby in the house! I think so long as you're sensible, people can take it too far when they stop their bubs having any contact at all with animals. Lots of studies have shown that bubbies that grow up with dogs but especially cats are less likely to have allergies.

[reneenay]

Awww lulu can you send you husband around my house haha. I think I need to kick my husband out instead of the cats

[Kazbah]

Our cats now live outside in a pen on top of the chook shed. I'm actually looking forward to cleaning the litter again - it means my babies can sleep with me again!

Called the OB and he rang back, apparently he doesn't do the toxo screening test as there isn't a large number of toxo infections down here? He then said something about it being rampant in France.

I'm thinking next time I get the cats vaccinated, I'll get them tested for the antibodies

[reneenay]

Do your cats know your pregnant? When im lying on the couch my cat Archi wont lay on my stomach, he lays on my legs instead! My other cat Milton knows but he doesnt care, he isnt very happy about it lol!

[Ozziehoffy]

Yeah...kick hubby out...lol. My DH does the kitty litter for me Has done since day one though cos I seriously HATE doing it. I had to do it once whilst pg cos we had a house inspection and wouldn't you know the cat decided to poo about 1/2 hour before!! I had the gloves on and everything..lol.

Renee...if you are having to do the kitty litter maybe wear a pair of washing up gloves as well?? Also, I wouldn't pick up any poo with toilet paper either.

Yep, I think they know you're pg or at least that something is different. I am not sure if we put out different smells or anything cos of changing hormones...but my cat would get REALLY sooky with me at times.

[Angelfly]

Hi,
I grew up with cats and birds and also kept them as an adult. I have been tested for toxoplasmosis this pregnancy and it turns out I am immune to it as I have been exposed prior. Once this happens, no harm can come to your unborn child as you have antibodies (a bit like getting a vaccination for toxo). Good luck with the rest of your pregnancy and don't worry!