22B

We've thought about it for a while, and over Christmas OH and I decided the time is right to expand our family with a cat and a dog, before our second son arrives in May.

We drove off to the RSPCA and brought home two lovely animals. After a few cuddles with the cat, my brian suddenly went 'ping!' - pregnant people are supposed to keep their distance from cats, aren't they?

I am surprised that the RSPCA staff didn't mention Toxoplasmosis to a visibly pregnant woman - OH has wondered if perhaps, like foot&mouth, etc, they don't have Toxoplasmosis in Australia? Can anyone answer this?

Also, can anyone tell me just how risky having this cat is, or advise what I should do next? OH has already volunteered all litter duties. I am thinking it is overkill to take the cat back to the RSPCA, given that my baby is most at risk from injury during the 90minute 110kmh drive down the Federal Highway............

Thanks, everyone.

Jen1977ni

http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/b.../toxoplasmosis

Might be of use, might not...

Ozzidoc

Keep the cat.

Wash hands after touching it.

Hubby's first job as a father to be is kitty litter duties

All sorted

Petals

Always wear gloves when weeding in the garden.

spartacus

Always wear clean pants when driving.

carolinephillips

Have partner tested to see if she has already been exposed too. If she already has antibodies then it isn't so bad, but as the others say you do the litter duties and the weeding, and if the cat licks you then wash.

emelems

From memory (its been a while since I was preggers), we were told to wear gloves if gardening or cleaning out the litter tray, and wash your hands after touching the cat. When speaking to my friend, who is a vet nurse, she also told me the same.

I suppose the best thing would be to mention to your doctor when you are on the next visit/checkup and see what they say?

Em x

Pomster

also you can have the cat tested- it can get toxoplasmosis from its mother.

If it is negative, keep cat inside and only feed it processed cat food.
They can get toxoplasmosis from eating wildlife and that raw meat in supermarkets....

viviennef

loads of pregnant people have cats. Get husband on litter duty - tell him its the only safe way until the child hits 18.

Viv

scottishcelts

Pomster

Which was my preferred option.
My child is almost 3 and I never touch the litter tray!

Dorothy

That's what I did. I've got him convinced that it's unhealthy for a female to change the cat litter, so either my husband or son have to do it. My youngest child is 13 and I'll never be pregnant again, but I still won't do it.

22B

I did drop in to the conversation yesterday that obviously it's not just while I'm pregbnant - we wouldn't want the baby to get infected while I'm breastfeeding, or anything like that.......

...... but the best thing is, he's got it into his head that the puppy poo might be dangerous too, so I'm not even having to do that!

Bless him! Best OH ever x

viviennef

All excrement, rubbish bins, refuse is out of bounds to me as with 3 children it is just too risky

Welshie

Just don't touch the cat shit or the soil/sand it has shit in. Also avoid uncooked meats and unpasturised milk