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Information about changing litter boxes
by ickgirl on Nov 21, 2001 - 01:17 PM
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http://www.envy.nu/ickgirl
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what you can 'catch' from the litterbox is Toxoplasmosis, you can catch it, pass it onto the fetus, and it can cause birth defects.
"Toxoplasmosis can also be found in raw or undercooked infected meat. Most people have already been exposed to the disease and are immune. But if you are not immune, and pass it to your developing baby, it can cause birth defects including blindness, deafness and mental retardation. This is very rare, occurring in only 1 in 1,000 pregnancies, but you should still protect yourself. "
Don't change cat litter yourself unless you wear rubber gloves. Make sure the litter is changed daily. Do not garden in areas cats may have used as a litter box. And finally, don't eat raw or undercooked meat, another source of toxoplasmosis.
MAKE SURE YOU CLEAN THE BOX DAILY! You should consider having your cat groomed (bathed) or do it yourself...
Toxoplasmosis is found in their feces, which can get on their fur, get on your counters if the cat jumps up on them..you get the idea...
Tell the guy to clean the damn box or get out! Seriously, I myself wouldn't take the chance, even WITH gloves. If YOU get toxoplasmosis, it can cause you to have a serious infection, so not only are you jeopardizing your pregnancy, but you can put yourself at risk as well.
Here are some other tips from familydoctor.org:
Have someone else take care of your cat while you are pregnant.
Have another family member change the cat litter box and then disinfect it with boiling water for 5 minutes.
If you must handle the chore of changing the litter box, wear rubber gloves to avoid contact with the litter and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Use work gloves when gardening and wash your hands afterwards. Cover children's sandboxes when not in use (cats like to use them as litter boxes).
Control flies and cockroaches as much as possible. They can spread contaminated soil or cat feces onto food.
Avoid eating raw or undercooked meat (or poultry) and unwashed fruits and vegetables.
Wash your hands thoroughly before you eat and after handling raw meat, soil, sand or cats.
Avoid rubbing your eyes or face when preparing food, and wipe the counter clean afterwards.
Avoid eating raw eggs and drinking unpasteurized milk.
Wash hands well after petting cat.
Consider keeping outdoor cats until the baby comes.
Remember, 1 in 1,000 pregnancies are affected...to me, that is pretty significant...be careful!
You may want to have a doctor give you a test, to see if you've been exposed before...if you have, then you are immune (people who have been exposed in the past generally don't even know it)
ok, im done now (health is my specialty, so i tend to ramble)
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