Cats and pregnancy

[Chanelle29]

So I was around a 8week old kitten today which hasnt had her jabs. Petting her, playing, she bit me, scratch me licked me etc. My daughter also played with her, got cat hair in her mouth and so was repeatedly getting hair out her mouth. She also admitted to me when we got home that she touched the litter tray. We washed hands but probably not every single time after physically touching etc with kitten. The same goes for the litter tray handling which i was unaware of.

My mother in law has now made me worried about a disease called toxoplasmosis which I'd never heard of.

Should I be worried? Shall I call my doctor or midwife tomorrow to book in for a toxoplasmosis test? Am I be cautious or over reacting?

[Buisquits]

You are fine. I'm sure you've washed your hands and didn't pick the cat poo 😉

I do understand your worries, when I got pregnant wasn't sure what to do with my cat but I was assure if I keep as normal and wash my hands all will be good.

You can also get toxoplasmosis from soil - gardening, planting, anything. But there is a slim chance you will.

I hope you feel better now, and of course sd if you worry call you gp,

Good luck x

[Vicky-01]

I have two cats and they are house cats so have free run of the house, they would always lay on my lap and have fuss and this carried on as normal throughout my pregnancy, hubby just took over litter duty.

I woukd say though if its worrying you and playing on your mind have a quick chat with your midwife rather than fretting.

[Nin21996]

You’ll be fine, I have 3 cats, and dealt with their litter trays (wearing gloves) while pregnant.

[Bailey135]

You’re fine. I have two cats, my husband took over majority of cleaning the cat litter but sometimes I had to do it if he was at work etc... I didn’t get it. My baby is around the cats- too small to be near the litter but still. My health visitor met the cats and didn’t mention the litter she said more about making sure they didn’t try get in her cot. Don’t worry x

[Sevy571]

I'd call and ask just to put your mind at ease. Only you knows how much you might have "handled" anything cat-poo-related. I don't think your risk was too high given what you describe, however in my home country they say to be careful with that, so I can't be sure.

[Chanelle29 in reply to Sevy571]

Thank you, my doctor raised a toxoplasma test for me but like others have said.. I could get toxoplasmosis from raw meat, undercooked meat, unwashed fruit and veg etc. Once you've got it before your then immune so hopeully i'm immune. As I'm sure I've eaten unwashed fruit or veg before and possibly undercooked meat in the past!

[Hidden]

Toxoplasmosis...to get it from a cat litter you’d have to be so extremely unlucky! Firstly the kitten has to have it (which most kittens or cats don’t) and of so it’s only a certain time of a cycle when it’s shedding in the poo you are at risk. It’s such a low chance. You can also get Toxoplasmosis from handling raw meat. If the kitten isn’t on raw meat too (which is highly Unlikely being an eight week old kitten) then he wouldn’t have it. They only get exposed to it through raw meats and being outside. You will be absolutely fine. We have two cats and always have through having all of my 4 kids.

But if you’re worried for peace of mind then get tested.

All the best. x

[Annh17]

I totally understand how you feel, but I wouldn’t worry. I have 2 cats and when I was pregnant my husband would change the tray for me, but when he wasn’t here, I had too do it. As long as you wash hands afterwards and be carful x