Pregnancy, Cats and Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. The U.S. Center For Disease Prevention and Control estimates that around 60 million people carry the parasite but will not usually exhibit symptoms if they have a healthy immune system. However, people with compromised immune symptoms, and pregnant women, are at higher risk of contracting toxoplasmosis and are at greater risk of suffering severe consequences as a result. Most cases of toxoplasmosis are contracted from coming into contact with cat feces or raw or undercooked meat.

Those with compromised immune symptoms, or who are undergoing chemotherapy, who have HIV/AIDS, and sometimes organ donor recipients, at any time during their life, are at greater risk for having the infection re-activate. This may cause eye, brain, and organ damage. For pregnant women, it is especially important to avoid contracting toxoplasmosis, especially within the first few months of pregnancy. Babies of mothers who are exposed to toxoplasmosis during this time, stand a greater chance of suffering severe damage.

If a pregnant mother has a newly contracted case of toxoplasmosis, there is a 40 percent chance of transmission to the baby. If the mother contracted it six months or more before the pregnancy, chances are not likely that the baby will suffer any ill effects. Some babies who have contracted it will be born with no obvious symptoms at birth, while others may be born with eye or brain damage. Some babies may suffer mental retardation, convulsions, cerebral palsy, deafness or severely impaired vision. Some babies may have microcephaly, which means an abnormally small head, while other may have an abnormally large head, known as hydrocephalus.

A blood test can be done to determine if the infection was recent or not. If you are pregnant or have a weak immune system, speak with your doctor. Medications can be given that may prevent the infection from re-activating.

So, if you are pregnant and have a cat(s), what should you do to avoid contracting toxoplasmosis? The best way is to try to keep your cat from contracting it in the first place. For starters, keep your cat indoors.When outside, your cat may come into contact with birds or rodents that carry the parasite, transmitting it to the cat. If your cat has been outside, keep it off off your bed and pillows, and other furniture where you may sit or lie. Feed your cat only dry or canned prepared cat foods, not raw or undercooked meats.If your cat has been outside prior to your pregnancy, you may want to speak to your vet about having him/her tested for toxoplasmosis.

When gardening, wear gloves when working in the dirt, and wash hands thoroughly afterwards. Avoid touching your hands to your face while working. If your cat, or any stray, has used your yard to do their business, there can be toxoplasmosis present in the soil. Also, take care when handling raw meat during pregnancy, washing hands and any contaminated surfaces thoroughly.

As far as litter box changing goes, try to avoid it when possible. Have another family member take over litter box duty while you are pregnant if that is an option. If not, wear gloves and make sure to scoop out the litter box daily, as the feces takes a few days after passing to become infectious. Wear gloves while handling anything that has come into contact with cat feces. Wash hands thoroughly after handling any such items, and after changing cat litter.Cats only spread toxoplasmosis through their feces a few weeks after they are first infected with the parasite. Again, you may opt to have your cat tested if you are concerned he or she may have contracted it.

Avoid handling stray or unknown cats during pregnancy. This may not be the best time to adopt a new cat or bring another cat into your home for any reason. For more information on toxoplasmosis, please see http://www.medicinenet.com/toxoplasmosis/article.htm.


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