Aa
Pregnant and proud mom of 6 indoor cats
Hi, everybody, I dont have any question but this is just to inform all this beautifull "soon mom to be" who also have furry cats at home.
I have 6 indoor cats who are my babies, I am 42y/o and after 2 negative IVF's , finally i got pregnant. well this is my first month so I go day by day.
I went to my head doctor for a physical and everything was great including my toxoplasmos being positive. I do voluntary work in shelters and touch a lot of straigh cats that eventually go to adoption homes or put to sleep which is the sad part of the rescues due to lack of adoption. ( very sad..by the way remember to spay and neuter your pets!) and this is why i am toxo positive ( not because of my indoor cats...)
Anyway...it doesnt mean i have it now, it means i had the infection before so i have to be carefull now cleaning the litters.
Since i finded out I was pregnant, I stoped helping the rescue 3 weeks ago with the cleaning of the litters but... (i will be back in 1 year after the baby is born to keep helping...)
Before i used to clean the litters with no globes , NOW i have to be careful and not touch by accident any poo poo or any raw meat ...the point is ..dont be afraid , you dont need to get ride of your cats or ignore them, You just have to be careful when cleaning the litter, cleaning the garden, preparing raw meat.....etc
TOXO not only comes from cats come from many different ways...( so please dont blame your gorgeous cat)
just read below:
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a microscopic parasite. You can get Toxoplasmosis by eating undercooked infected meat or by handling soil or cat litter that contain the parasite. Most adults have no symptoms, but the infection can cross the placenta to the unborn child
Cats often become infected with Toxoplasmosis when they eat an infected rodent or bird. Infected cats typically appear healthy. The parasite is resistant to most household disinfectants, and may live for more than a year in soil. It is imperative that a pregnant woman not handle kitty litter, as well as taking the following precautions:
- Don't feed the cat raw or undercooked meats.
- Keep the cat indoors to prevent it from hunting birds or rodents.
- Don't eat raw or undercooked meat, especially lamb or pork. Meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160º F throughout.
- If you handle raw meat, wash your hands immediately with soap. Never touch your eyes, nose or mouth with potentially contaminated hands.
- Wash all raw fruits and vegetables before you eat them.
- Wear gloves when gardening, since outdoor soil may contain the parasite
- Avoid children's sandboxes. Cats may use them as a litter box.
- Contaminating food with knives, utensils, cutting boards and other foods that have had contact with raw meat.
- Drinking water contaminated with Toxoplasma.
-Receiving an infected organ transplant or blood transfusion, though this is rare.
Healthy adults typically suffer no ill effects from toxoplasmosis, and do not have symptoms to suggest infection. If tests show that the fetus is not yet infected, the mother may be given an antibiotic called spiramycin. Some studies suggest that spiramycin can reduce by about 50 percent the likelihood of the fetus becoming infected. If your baby should become infected, your physician will typically attempt to treat the infection aggressively, and will likely begin treating immune system issues immediately after birth.
Besides this infection..al infections are dangerous not only toxo, HIV, drinking problems, smoking, all kind of drugs...etc...remember when you are pregnant anything that is not right for you it wont be right for the baby...
If you are planning to become pregnant, your health care provider may test you for Toxoplasma. If the test is positive it means you have already been infected sometime in your life. There usually is little need to worry about passing the infection to your baby. If the test is negative, take necessary precautions to avoid infection (See below).
If you are already pregnant, you and your health care provider should discuss your risk for toxoplasmosis. Your health care provider may order a blood sample for testing.
If you have a weakened immune system, ask your doctor about having your blood tested for Toxoplasma. If your test is positive, your doctor can tell you if and when you need to take medicine to prevent the infection from reactivating. If your test is negative, it means you have never been infected and you need to take precautions to avoid infection.
If I am at risk, would I be able to keep my cat?
Yes, you may keep your cat if you are a person at risk for a severe infection (e.g., you have a weakened immune system or are pregnant); however, there are several safety precautions to avoid being exposed to Toxoplasma:
Keep your cat indoors:
Keep your cat healthy and help prevent it from becoming infected with Toxoplasma. Keep your cat indoors and feed it dry or canned cat food rather than allowing it to have access to wild birds and rodents or to food scraps. A cat can become infected by eating infected prey or by eating raw or undercooked meat infected with the parasite. Do not bring a new cat into your house that might have spent time out of doors or might have been fed raw meat. Avoid stray cats and kittens and the area they have adopted as their "home." Your veterinarian can answer any other questions you may have regarding your cat and risk for toxoplasmosis.
Have someone who is healthy and not pregnant change your cat's litter box daily. If this is not possible, wear gloves and clean the litter box every day, because the parasite found in cat feces needs one or more days after being passed to become infectious. Wash your hands well with soap and water afterwards.
Once infected with Toxoplasma is my cat always able to spread the infection to me?
No, cats only spread Toxoplasma in their feces for a few weeks following infection with the parasite. Like humans, cats rarely have symptoms when first infected, so most people do not know if their cat has been infected. The infection will go away on its own; therefore it does not help to have your cat or your cat's feces tested for Toxoplasma.
Good luck to every one and I am posting with 2 of my cats on the top of my computer...lol..they are a pain..I love them..lol...and my husband love them too!...ohh I forgot to tell you a 2 dogs as well...ohhh a big happy family ( yes i have 4,000 sq country house so they have enough place to run....
bye for now!
I have 6 indoor cats who are my babies, I am 42y/o and after 2 negative IVF's , finally i got pregnant. well this is my first month so I go day by day.
I went to my head doctor for a physical and everything was great including my toxoplasmos being positive. I do voluntary work in shelters and touch a lot of straigh cats that eventually go to adoption homes or put to sleep which is the sad part of the rescues due to lack of adoption. ( very sad..by the way remember to spay and neuter your pets!) and this is why i am toxo positive ( not because of my indoor cats...)
Anyway...it doesnt mean i have it now, it means i had the infection before so i have to be carefull now cleaning the litters.
Since i finded out I was pregnant, I stoped helping the rescue 3 weeks ago with the cleaning of the litters but... (i will be back in 1 year after the baby is born to keep helping...)
Before i used to clean the litters with no globes , NOW i have to be careful and not touch by accident any poo poo or any raw meat ...the point is ..dont be afraid , you dont need to get ride of your cats or ignore them, You just have to be careful when cleaning the litter, cleaning the garden, preparing raw meat.....etc
TOXO not only comes from cats come from many different ways...( so please dont blame your gorgeous cat)
just read below:
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a microscopic parasite. You can get Toxoplasmosis by eating undercooked infected meat or by handling soil or cat litter that contain the parasite. Most adults have no symptoms, but the infection can cross the placenta to the unborn child
Cats often become infected with Toxoplasmosis when they eat an infected rodent or bird. Infected cats typically appear healthy. The parasite is resistant to most household disinfectants, and may live for more than a year in soil. It is imperative that a pregnant woman not handle kitty litter, as well as taking the following precautions:
- Don't feed the cat raw or undercooked meats.
- Keep the cat indoors to prevent it from hunting birds or rodents.
- Don't eat raw or undercooked meat, especially lamb or pork. Meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160º F throughout.
- If you handle raw meat, wash your hands immediately with soap. Never touch your eyes, nose or mouth with potentially contaminated hands.
- Wash all raw fruits and vegetables before you eat them.
- Wear gloves when gardening, since outdoor soil may contain the parasite
- Avoid children's sandboxes. Cats may use them as a litter box.
- Contaminating food with knives, utensils, cutting boards and other foods that have had contact with raw meat.
- Drinking water contaminated with Toxoplasma.
-Receiving an infected organ transplant or blood transfusion, though this is rare.
Healthy adults typically suffer no ill effects from toxoplasmosis, and do not have symptoms to suggest infection. If tests show that the fetus is not yet infected, the mother may be given an antibiotic called spiramycin. Some studies suggest that spiramycin can reduce by about 50 percent the likelihood of the fetus becoming infected. If your baby should become infected, your physician will typically attempt to treat the infection aggressively, and will likely begin treating immune system issues immediately after birth.
Besides this infection..al infections are dangerous not only toxo, HIV, drinking problems, smoking, all kind of drugs...etc...remember when you are pregnant anything that is not right for you it wont be right for the baby...
If you are planning to become pregnant, your health care provider may test you for Toxoplasma. If the test is positive it means you have already been infected sometime in your life. There usually is little need to worry about passing the infection to your baby. If the test is negative, take necessary precautions to avoid infection (See below).
If you are already pregnant, you and your health care provider should discuss your risk for toxoplasmosis. Your health care provider may order a blood sample for testing.
If you have a weakened immune system, ask your doctor about having your blood tested for Toxoplasma. If your test is positive, your doctor can tell you if and when you need to take medicine to prevent the infection from reactivating. If your test is negative, it means you have never been infected and you need to take precautions to avoid infection.
If I am at risk, would I be able to keep my cat?
Yes, you may keep your cat if you are a person at risk for a severe infection (e.g., you have a weakened immune system or are pregnant); however, there are several safety precautions to avoid being exposed to Toxoplasma:
Keep your cat indoors:
Keep your cat healthy and help prevent it from becoming infected with Toxoplasma. Keep your cat indoors and feed it dry or canned cat food rather than allowing it to have access to wild birds and rodents or to food scraps. A cat can become infected by eating infected prey or by eating raw or undercooked meat infected with the parasite. Do not bring a new cat into your house that might have spent time out of doors or might have been fed raw meat. Avoid stray cats and kittens and the area they have adopted as their "home." Your veterinarian can answer any other questions you may have regarding your cat and risk for toxoplasmosis.
Have someone who is healthy and not pregnant change your cat's litter box daily. If this is not possible, wear gloves and clean the litter box every day, because the parasite found in cat feces needs one or more days after being passed to become infectious. Wash your hands well with soap and water afterwards.
Once infected with Toxoplasma is my cat always able to spread the infection to me?
No, cats only spread Toxoplasma in their feces for a few weeks following infection with the parasite. Like humans, cats rarely have symptoms when first infected, so most people do not know if their cat has been infected. The infection will go away on its own; therefore it does not help to have your cat or your cat's feces tested for Toxoplasma.
Good luck to every one and I am posting with 2 of my cats on the top of my computer...lol..they are a pain..I love them..lol...and my husband love them too!...ohh I forgot to tell you a 2 dogs as well...ohhh a big happy family ( yes i have 4,000 sq country house so they have enough place to run....
bye for now!
yes, that is the thing!...keeping all clean just like when you have babies..or kids...
I use fresh step with scoopable..its the best!
I like to do my own litters, so i will clean after 6 months, since the first 6 months of pregnancy are really delicate and my mom and my husband are there to help me.
lol..yes i have a king size & i feel like i can not move!............but cats come and go they never in one place all night so there is room for the dogs, who lately i have to sent to sleep with my mother who has a queen size so they sleep nice and comfy ( my mom is extremelly happy with the 3 of them!..lol) by the way my mom lives with us so my dogs are in the next master room...lol
If my cat learn how to do graphics i will be rich...lol...she is very smart...lol
is funny my husband open the door of his office and she is the first one in the door welcoming ....lol
I love all color of cats and they are all straigh/from the street who i adopted, 3 of them are sisters.
People dont know how lucky is to have a black cat at home, they have this idea of they are bad...very wrong !...people should read about history and they will find a black cat anywhere where it was power.
why witches were followed and torture? because they hurt black cats...whoever hurt a black cat is in big trouble, if you find one in your way "its your lucky day" if you hurt the cat "it wont be you day or your year"
I use fresh step with scoopable..its the best!
I like to do my own litters, so i will clean after 6 months, since the first 6 months of pregnancy are really delicate and my mom and my husband are there to help me.
lol..yes i have a king size & i feel like i can not move!............but cats come and go they never in one place all night so there is room for the dogs, who lately i have to sent to sleep with my mother who has a queen size so they sleep nice and comfy ( my mom is extremelly happy with the 3 of them!..lol) by the way my mom lives with us so my dogs are in the next master room...lol
If my cat learn how to do graphics i will be rich...lol...she is very smart...lol
is funny my husband open the door of his office and she is the first one in the door welcoming ....lol
I love all color of cats and they are all straigh/from the street who i adopted, 3 of them are sisters.
People dont know how lucky is to have a black cat at home, they have this idea of they are bad...very wrong !...people should read about history and they will find a black cat anywhere where it was power.
why witches were followed and torture? because they hurt black cats...whoever hurt a black cat is in big trouble, if you find one in your way "its your lucky day" if you hurt the cat "it wont be you day or your year"
well you have quite a family don't you!!............sounds like fun, but don't know how you all fit into just a king size?...may need another soon!
I have one all black persian mix (love blacks) and one himalayan. I've had a few himmies over the years and way back also had many all blacks...but I love all cats and take whatever comes my way in a time of need (for them or me).
I can just see your husband with the litter box in his office and the 'assistant' lol. perhaps she/he could learn to ans. the phone or help with the computer graphics?
Years ago my husband was into Ham radios and had a room all set up, my Opus(my 1st himmie) would sit on top of his radio hutch and listen to his calls all day, have a photo of him doing that and it was published in one of the Ham magazines....too cute.
have a good day....enjoy the family!!
♥Opus
I have one all black persian mix (love blacks) and one himalayan. I've had a few himmies over the years and way back also had many all blacks...but I love all cats and take whatever comes my way in a time of need (for them or me).
I can just see your husband with the litter box in his office and the 'assistant' lol. perhaps she/he could learn to ans. the phone or help with the computer graphics?
Years ago my husband was into Ham radios and had a room all set up, my Opus(my 1st himmie) would sit on top of his radio hutch and listen to his calls all day, have a photo of him doing that and it was published in one of the Ham magazines....too cute.
have a good day....enjoy the family!!
♥Opus
Awh I have 8 cats running around, the smaller ones have trouble finding the litter tray but they are getting better...
Erm when my mum isnt around I have to clean it up.. I use a pair of kitchen gloves AND winter gloves, and pick it up with a bag as well then use soap and water after wards and alcohol gel.
We have this Pearl litter stuff? (I duno what it is and the difference) but I dont do the litter trays my mum does......
Just gotta be careful...
x
Erm when my mum isnt around I have to clean it up.. I use a pair of kitchen gloves AND winter gloves, and pick it up with a bag as well then use soap and water after wards and alcohol gel.
We have this Pearl litter stuff? (I duno what it is and the difference) but I dont do the litter trays my mum does......
Just gotta be careful...
x
29sillygirl, , toxo is only an infection so it comes and go..do not worry!...but always keep clean your hands and your house.
enjoy the kitten and remember to spay/neuter aspca or the humane society will do it for free if you have medicaid or medicare or any of those goverment help otherwise it will be like $70
opus88, Yes a have a full house of furry babies 5 black cats and a tiger like + 3 dogs and they all sleep with us we have a king bed ( well..they are welcome) you know cats they come hugged you and then go and thats all nigth long ..we got used to already...lol
I am a professional and I work monday to friday and also own a business and i have to wake up at 5am to start my day....sometimes you find me hugging 3 cats and one of mydogs and then i dont want to wake up...jajjajaja
My husband owns a business as well and he is a web designer and editor so his office is at home and one of our cat is his assistant, she is always ready at the office door and sit on the side of his main desk and make my husband company..lol..its to funny
she has her own litter box in the office and water and food for the day, she will meaow when she wants to go a play and then come back,,,,, its extremelly funny!
I have robbot litter, you can find them in www.amazon.com all prices
enjoy the kitten and remember to spay/neuter aspca or the humane society will do it for free if you have medicaid or medicare or any of those goverment help otherwise it will be like $70
opus88, Yes a have a full house of furry babies 5 black cats and a tiger like + 3 dogs and they all sleep with us we have a king bed ( well..they are welcome) you know cats they come hugged you and then go and thats all nigth long ..we got used to already...lol
I am a professional and I work monday to friday and also own a business and i have to wake up at 5am to start my day....sometimes you find me hugging 3 cats and one of mydogs and then i dont want to wake up...jajjajaja
My husband owns a business as well and he is a web designer and editor so his office is at home and one of our cat is his assistant, she is always ready at the office door and sit on the side of his main desk and make my husband company..lol..its to funny
she has her own litter box in the office and water and food for the day, she will meaow when she wants to go a play and then come back,,,,, its extremelly funny!
I have robbot litter, you can find them in www.amazon.com all prices
Welcome and thanks for the explanation and your experience with toxoplasma. I have handled many strays who came to me @ a apt complex here in Florida.
Now have a 7 month kitten who was found in a field when 2 months old. He already has been diagnosed and I'm treating him for feline herpes. I'm a 3 yr survivor of anal cancer, and have wondered if I should get checked. Probably not...don't know symptoms.
When I was in treatment I had to let neighbor and family take over the litter box. It wasn't explained to me. Just told cats carry 'bugs' that I couldn't fight off.
Your household sounds a delight! Very best wishes on your pregnancy. It is grand to have lots of space when you have a houseful of critters:).
Now have a 7 month kitten who was found in a field when 2 months old. He already has been diagnosed and I'm treating him for feline herpes. I'm a 3 yr survivor of anal cancer, and have wondered if I should get checked. Probably not...don't know symptoms.
When I was in treatment I had to let neighbor and family take over the litter box. It wasn't explained to me. Just told cats carry 'bugs' that I couldn't fight off.
Your household sounds a delight! Very best wishes on your pregnancy. It is grand to have lots of space when you have a houseful of critters:).
welcome to our cat community I hope you will stay with us and share all your experiences and knowledge.
thank you so much for sharing the info on toxoplasma, always good to be well informed.
You have a full household there! and wonderful that you still found the time to give to the poor little souls at the shelter, good for you!!
Congrats on the pregnancy this must be such a happy time for you and your hubby, I wish you both my best wishes.
looking forward to hearing more from you.
♥Opus
thank you so much for sharing the info on toxoplasma, always good to be well informed.
You have a full household there! and wonderful that you still found the time to give to the poor little souls at the shelter, good for you!!
Congrats on the pregnancy this must be such a happy time for you and your hubby, I wish you both my best wishes.
looking forward to hearing more from you.
♥Opus
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