If you are pregnant, or are planning on becoming pregnant, you might want to have your cat tested for toxoplasmosis. The test checks for antibodies to Toxoplasma parasites. If your cat tests negative, this means he has never been exposed to the Toxoplasma organism and cannot transmit the disease to you.
It is unlikely that you would be exposed to the parasite by touching an infected cat because cats usually do not carry the parasite on their fur. In addition, cats kept indoors (that do not hunt prey or are not fed raw meat) are not likely to be infected with Toxoplasma.
It's unlikely that your cat will give you toxoplasmosis. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "people are more likely to get [toxoplasmosis] from eating raw meat or from gardening."
Like humans, cats rarely have symptoms when infected, so most people do not know if their cat has been infected. Your veterinarian can answer any other questions you may have regarding your cat and risk for toxoplasmosis.
Cats can carry the parasite, especially if they hunt animals or eat raw meat. You can expose yourself to the parasite through your cat's feces, either in its litter or in dirt that has cat droppings in it. You also can get it from touching anything that has been in contact with cat droppings.
This disease is spread when an infected cat licks a human's open wound, or bites or scratches them. Care should be taken to avoid unpredictable cats that could scratch or bite. The more commonly heard of disease is Toxoplasma gondii, or toxoplasmosis.
It is extremely unlikely that you would pick up toxoplasmosis by petting your cat or being scratched or bitten by your cat, because the organism is not spread by the fur or saliva. You CAN, however, pick up toxoplasmosis by eating undercooked infected meat, particularly lamb and pork.
After a cat has been infected, it can shed the parasite for up to two weeks. The parasite becomes infective one to five days after it is passed in the feces of the cat.
Symptoms of toxoplasmosis include fever, swollen glands and muscle aches. Most people who become infected with Toxoplasma have no symptoms. If people develop symptoms, they usually begin 1 to 3 weeks after being exposed to the parasite. Symptoms usually last for 2 to 4 weeks.
The diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is typically made by serologic testing. A test that measures immunoglobulin G (IgG) is used to determine if a person has been infected.
How common is toxoplasmosis during pregnancy? The chances of getting toxoplasmosis for the first time during pregnancy are thought to be very small. Even if you do become infected for the first time during pregnancy, this doesn't necessarily mean your baby is in danger.
Tachyzoites and tissue cysts are susceptible to most disinfectants, including l% sodium hypochlorite and 70% ethanol. Tachyzoites are also inactivated at pH < 4.0. Tissue cysts remain viable for approximately 4 minutes at 60°C (140°F) or 10 minutes at 50°C (122°F).
Avoid stray cats, especially kittens. Do not get a new cat while you are pregnant. Keep outdoor sandboxes covered. Wear gloves when gardening and during contact with soil or sand because it might be contaminated with cat feces that contain Toxoplasma.
As the cat feces dry, the oocysts may become aerosolized. They can thus be inhaled by a person changing cat litter or just walking in an area where cats have defecated. An outbreak of toxoplasmosis among patrons of a riding stable was thought to have occurred in this manner.
Talk to your health care provider about a test if you are worried about exposure to the parasite. If you are planning a pregnancy or are pregnant, see your provider if you suspect exposure. The symptoms of severe toxoplasmosis include blurred vision, confusion and loss of coordination.
People who should avoid close contact with cats include: Very young children. Pregnant women.
Healthy people (nonpregnant) Most healthy people recover from toxoplasmosis without treatment. Persons who are ill can be treated with a combination of drugs such as pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine, plus folinic acid.
You may see floating spots in your vision. In some cases there is eye redness and tearing. In addition to affecting the eyes, toxoplasmosis may affect the brain, lung, heart, or liver. People with suppressed immune systems may experience fever, headache, confusion, seizures, and neurological problems.
Most often it may be performed for: A woman prior to or during a pregnancy to determine if she has been previously exposed to Toxoplasma gondii and during a pregnancy if exposure is suspected. An individual who has a weakened immune system (immunocompromised) and has flu-like symptoms.
The body temperature of cats is generally higher than humans, so these pets especially enjoy cuddling with warm people. Since the temperature of your body may be slightly higher during pregnancy, your cat may like to snuggle up with you more when you're expecting.
While it is unlikely to cause any serious harm, it is important to remember that cats can carry bacteria in their mouths that can make humans sick. What is this? So it is best to avoid eating anything that a cat has had contact with, just to be safe.
*Discourage your pet from licking your face.
Capnocytophaga canimorsus and Pasteurella multocida are two bacterial infections that can cause severe disease in these two high-risk groups. In addition, pets frequently lick their anus and can possibly transmit fecal pathogens to you when they lick your mouth.
Chris Miller, AtlasVet DC: The good news is that drinking after your cat is very unlikely to cause any significant health concerns. Cats can be finicky drinkers, but the amount one cat drinks compared to another can be highly variable.
Absolutely! Petting your cat will not result in becoming infected. As a matter of fact, while Toxoplasmosis is a danger to an unborn baby, the chances of actually being infected are very low.