Are you getting ready to welcome a baby into your home? Congratulations! Becoming a parent transforms your life in every way, and will impact all aspects of your household, including your pets. And this leads us to today’s topic: cats and pregnancy. If you are expecting, you may have heard stories about the dangers of handling a cat while pregnant. There is certainly a lot of misinformation on this subject. In this article from All Animals Veterinary Hospital, a Dawsonville, GA veterinarian provides some perspective on this.

What Is Toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma gondii parasite is a single-celled organism. Single-celled creatures include bacteria, certain algae, and protozoa.

The great majority of those who are afflicted are asymptomatic. Fortunately, most occurrences are modest, resulting in flu-like symptoms, nausea, and vomiting. However, difficulties can occur from time to time. These can result in more serious disorders and harm important organs such as the brain, lungs, heart, eyes, and liver.

Not everyone is prone to the symptoms. Problems are most common in those with impaired immune systems. Unfortunately, it can have catastrophic consequences for unborn fetuses.

Here are some facts about it:

• The Toxoplasma parasite is carried by one out of every five Americans.
• Other countries may have infection rates of up to 95%.
• Toxoplasma gondii is America’s leading cause of death from foodborne illness.
• Parasites can be found all around the world.
• Severe toxoplasmosis can seriously harm the brain, eyes, and other organs.
• Most persons with healthy immune systems will have no symptoms or consequences.
• Immunocompromised individuals and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable.
• Even if your cat is positive for Toxoplasma gondii, they are unlikely to shed infectious parasites.
• The majority of cats are asymptomatic.
• Cleaning up kitty litter is also a very efficient way to prevent spread. The cysts are not contagious for up to five days after passing through feces. As a result, regular scooping is an excellent way to prevent infection.
• Keeping your cat indoors can also help prevent exposure. 

Ask your Dawsonville, GAvet for more information. 

How Can Cats Get Toxoplasmosis?

Kitties can contract toxoplasmosis by ingesting infected small animals. This is not surprising given that cats eat mice, birds, and other tiny creatures in the wild. The parasite is shed—or spread—through the cat’s excrement. An infected cat will expel the parasite for around two weeks, although the parasite can live for several months. It may grow in soil, water, vegetables, sandboxes, and pastures. Litterboxes and any other place where an infected cat may have defecated provide the greatest risk.

Why Is Toxoplasmosis Important for Cat Owners?

This is where things get a little… perplexing. As you may be aware, the toxoplasma parasite can, in some situations, alter the brain and behavior. How this unfolds, and how cats enter the picture, is one of nature’s most remarkable symbiotic interactions.

Surprisingly, one impact of toxoplasmosis on the brain is that it dulls the experience of terror. This is observed in infected rodents. You can probably predict what happens when a mouse with a tamed fear of cats comes into contact with a hungry feline. (Spoiler: the mouse’s fate is not looking good.) Infected rats are less startled by the smell of cat urine, according to studies. In other words, the parasite makes it much easier for Fluffy to hunt. In exchange, she contributes by spreading it through her excrement after eating those easy targets.

How Do People Get Toxoplasmosis?

There are several ways to contract the parasite. One—and the one we’re focusing on—is coming into contact with an infected animal’s feces.

Other probable modes of transmission include the following:

1. Consuming uncooked or undercooked foods.
2. Contact with tainted cat excrement, whether from gardening or changing the litterbox.
3. Congenital Transmission from an infected mother to the fetus.
4. An organ transplant.
5. Blood transfusions.

How Can I Reduce My Risk of Contracting Toxoplasma gondii?

Fortunately, there are things you can do to reduce your chances of infection. Those include the following:

• Wear gloves when gardening or handling soil that may be contaminated with feces from wild, feral, or even loose cats, as the soil may carry toxoplasma.
• Ideally, have someone else handle cat litter. If it is not an option, simply use gloves when changing or cleaning cat litter.
• Scoop the litterbox once a day. (Automated ones can help here.)
• Any time you come into contact with something that may have been contaminated with toxoplasma, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water.
• Basic food safety procedures are also necessary. For example, chilling meat before cooking helps lessen the risk of illness, as can using a food thermometer to ensure it is hot enough. Wash your produce before cooking, and avoid drinking unpasteurized milk or eating raw seafood.

For further information, ask your Dawsonville, GA veterinarian.

Do I Need To Get Rid Of My Cat?

We cannot emphasize this enough: there is no reason to rehome your cat. This is just another incentive to keep your kitty indoors. A cat who has never been outside is naturally less likely to get toxoplasmosis than one who is continually in and out. (We’ll reserve Fluffy’s inclination to believe she’s on the wrong side of the door for another time.)

In fact, Fluffy could actually be a great source of comfort during pregnancy. She also makes an excellent snuggle partner and playmate for small children. Simply take the steps suggested above. You can also get a catproof top for your crib to keep your feline friend out. That’s it!

Keep Your Cat Healthy by Visiting Our Dawsonville, GA Clinic

Is your kitty companion overdue for an exam? Please contact us, your local Dawsonville, GA pet hospital, at any time. We’re here to assist!