When a pregnant cat owner sees the word "toxoplasmosis" in a book about motherhood, she always feels an inexplicable uneasiness in her abdomen. Reading further only added to her horror: "Pregnant women are infected with toxoplasmosis from cats...and pass it on to their babies." Veterinarians and gynecologists say that while this situation requires attention, there is no need to panic.
Dr. Michael Davidson, associate professor of pet and specialty drugs at North Carolina State University's College of Veterinary Medicine, said: "Some doctors ask pregnant women not to have cats, but this is not necessary." Women can contract tox from cats The only way to get the disease is through direct contact with cat feces, which most people avoid! You can completely avoid exposure to this parasite by paying attention to a few simple things during pregnancy.
80% of domestic cats may be infected with Toxoplasma gondii during their lifetime, usually by eating dead mice, moles, squirrels or other infected small animals. Some cats show no symptoms, while others experience diarrhea or lethargy, and occasionally pneumonia or eye inflammation. Cats that live entirely indoors and have never been exposed to rats may never become infected.
Dr Davidson said about 60 per cent of humans are also infected, usually through contact with cat feces in the litter box or garden. Sometimes, many cat owners have been infected before raising cats. Like cats, people generally have no obvious symptoms, or only show mild "cold" symptoms. Although a person does not show symptoms, he may develop antibodies and thus become immune.
"If you've been infected with toxoplasmosis and developed antibodies, you won't have a problem," said Dr. John Botti, director of maternal and infant care at the Pennsylvania State University College of Pharmacy. "If a woman first catches the parasite during pregnancy, whether there will be any effects on her and her baby depends on how far into the pregnancy she is. During the first trimester, a pregnant woman is less likely to pass the parasite to her fetus. But if toxoplasmosis is transmitted to the fetus during this period, the baby is likely to have health problems in the future. Conversely, pregnant women in the last trimester of pregnancy are most likely to transmit the parasite to their fetus, but are least likely to develop health problems in the fetus.
According to statistics, of the four million babies born in the United States every year, only 1,200 are infected with toxoplasmosis. Most of these infants have only mild symptoms, such as dermatitis and ophthalmia. However, parasites can have serious effects on the developing fetus. Rarely, babies develop hydrocephalus, delayed brain development, and anemia.
To avoid being infected with Toxoplasma gondii, pregnant cat owners should avoid contact with cat excrement and cat litter boxes, let other people in the home clean up cat feces, or wear gloves when touching the above objects, and then Wash your hands carefully. If the cat’s activity range is in the yard, pay special attention when cleaning the yard. Dr. Davidson recommends cleaning the cat's litter box daily because organisms may not become contagious until at least 24 hours after being expelled. Interestingly, a cat only excretes this organism in its feces once in its life, after it is first infected. "It's unlikely that they happen to shed the organism during a woman's pregnancy," Dr Davidson said.
A simple blood test can detect whether a person is infected with Toxoplasma gondii. However, this test cannot detect when the person being tested was infected, so it is recommended that the test be done before preparing to become pregnant, so that she can know whether she is infected before becoming pregnant.
Toxoplasmosis should be taken seriously, but there is no reason why pregnant women should give away their cats. During pregnancy, pregnant women will be full of expectations for the future, or feel burdened by the increasing weight, or feel nervous about the upcoming birth. At this time, the best solution and a very safe way is to sit on the sofa with you. cats snuggle together comfortably.
There is no conflict between pregnancy and raising a cat. If you have any problems, you can see a doctor and he will tell you everything you want to know. Don’t worry: gt;