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Is it safe to have cats?
Dear Anai,
I have two kittens
in my apartment. They are about 3 months old at least. I won't have to change
the litter box or anything because my boyfriend does that, but the bathroom the
litter box is in is also our laundry room so I am in there all the time and the
smell is pretty strong. Is that safe for me?
Thank you,
Km
Dear Km,
Cat faeces contain a parasite called Toxoplasma Gondii.
Frequently coming into contact with your cat's litter box puts you at risk for
what is commonly known as "toxoplasmosis". Keep in mind that the litter you buy
does not contain this organism, only your cats faeces.
Toxoplasmosis is
dangerous for those who were not previously exposed to it. Once a person has
been exposed, they become immune to
future attacks of the toxoplasmosis.
The symptoms vary person to person.
You may have noticed when you first brought your cats home that you were ill
without explanation. You may have experienced what you thought were allergies,
or a mild flu.
Being that a fetus is so susceptible to illness, it is
very important that your partner, family, or friend change the litter box. This
applies to any pregnant woman, whether she has been exposed or not.
How does Toxoplasmosis affect my unborn
baby?
It is not known why some babies are affected more than
others when the toxoplasmosis passes through the placenta. Those babies infected
have symptoms ranging from have vision problems even blindness, mild retardation
or brain damage. For women who become exposed during their pregnancy have a
higher risk of miscarriage and even stillbirth.
The following is a list
of ways to avoid becoming infected with Toxoplasmosis. A feline's faeces are not
the only culprit carrying this parasite. Those with weakened immune systems, who
are currently ill or have gone through chemotherapy should follow this list as
well.
- Have someone else handle the litter box. If you are alone and
have no assisitance, make sure to wear gloves, a paper or cloth face mask
-
Outdoor cats may use the soil around your lawn, so wear gloves when gardening.
- After handling your cat, make sure to wash your hands thoroughly
- Wash vegetables and
fruits before putting them into the crisper and before eating.
- Avoid
eating undercooked foods such as egg yolks, meats.
- Avoid unpasturised
dairy products such as milk, cheese, yoghurt.
Thank you for writing,
Anai Rhoads
© Copyright 2004 Anai Rhoads.
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