Q: My spouse and I very just lately discovered that we predict our first baby. We do have two cats and my mom knowledgeable me to guarantee that my spouse doesn’t deal with the cleansing of the litter bins all through her being pregnant as a result of danger of a doable parasite that may be harmful to the unborn baby. What parasite is that this and what would doubtlessly occur? Of course, we need to be as cautious as we may be. Should we go as far as to do away with our cats? They have all the time been indoor cats so how may they probably get such a parasite? Is it that frequent in cat populations?
A: This is a query that I’ve not obtained in fairly a very long time, however it’s worthy of being answered for the broader public good. The parasite your mom was speaking about is one thing referred to as Toxoplasma gondii or Toxoplasmosis. It is a really hearty parasite in nature, discovered in lots of species, for which in people there isn’t a remedy as soon as contaminated. It is discovered worldwide, and, in some populations, it’s postulated that nearly a 3rd of all individuals have been uncovered and contaminated after which reside with the parasite.
The results in people mostly seen if one is contaminated is injury to the retina within the eye, which may result in everlasting imaginative and prescient loss. Diagnosis is usually made by searching for lesions within the eye upon an ophthalmologic examination or by testing the blood for antibodies. The incontrovertible fact that your cats are indoor pets is in your favor since it’s out of doors cats which may eat contaminated prey that they catch and kill, so the probability that your cats could be contaminated could be very slim. The parasite is then unfold by the cats’ feces, which is why your mom suggested that you just decide up the cleansing of the litter bins for now. To be on the protected aspect, heed the recommendation that your mom gave you. Cleaning the field day by day can be useful since, if the cats had been to be contaminated, it takes just a few days earlier than the parasite is infectious if shed within the feces.
As for medical indicators in cats which might be contaminated, they’re liable to anorexia, lethargy, fever and different non-specific indicators. Since you requested about what may occur in case your spouse had been to grow to be contaminated whereas pregnant, know that changing into contaminated whereas pregnant can result in an an infection being handed on to the unborn baby that may then grow to be issues as quickly as they’re born or later in life, corresponding to blindness or different disabilities. By caring for the disposition of the cats’ feces now, you’ll forestall any risk, irrespective of how low, of any points. Practice good hygiene and all must be properly. Congratulations to you each on what lies forward!
Dr. John de Jong owns and operates the Boston Mobile Veterinary Clinic. He may be reached at 781-899-9994.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”