Is It Safe To Take Care Of Your Cat When Pregnant

For cat lovers, they may experience worries when they are pregnant. This is related because many consider keeping cats dangerous when pregnant. Cats are the main source of the spread of the parasite Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), which is an organism that can cause toxoplasmosis.

Beware of Contact with Cat Feces

This can happen when a cat eats its prey infected with T. gondii. Organisms that attack cells in the cat's intestine will form oocyst cells, which are early forms of parasitic life that are not yet mature and are still wrapped in a thick-walled sheath. Cats will dispose of these cells through feces, then stored in the ground or a place to dispose of feces, like a sandbox or cage. It's actually not a problem to be around cats, even to keep cats while pregnant. But, you have to be careful when cleaning the cage. Cat feces, including soil or sand where to dispose of feces, can cause toxoplasmosis. Also make sure the cat's body is diligently cleaned. Toxoplasmosis can cause death or birth defects in the fetus when pregnant women become infected. To confirm an infection or effect on the fetus, an ultrasound (USG) can be performed. This very dangerous parasite will cross the placenta and transmit the infection to the fetus, so that it can interfere with the eyes, brain, heart, lungs, and increase the risk of miscarriage.

Safe Tips for Pregnant Women Who Care for Cats

To prevent toxoplasmosis in pregnant women, here are some tips that can be done:

• Clean cat cages regularly

When you are pregnant, ask for help from others to clean their stools and cages to prevent contracting toxoplasmosis. Infection can occur when you touch cat feces, then your hands touch your mouth. Be careful if you have to clean the cat cage. Parasites usually will not spread within 1-5 days, so it's better to clean the cage every day. Don't forget to wear disposable gloves, when cleaning the cat cage. Dispose of gloves in the trash and wash hands thoroughly and properly using soap and water.

• Be careful with the sandbox and when gardening

The same thing applies if your cat throws feces in a special place like a sandbox and is gardening. Use the same method as cleaning the cage by wearing gloves and not forgetting to wash your hands.

• Don't leave pet cats outside the home

For your safety during pregnancy, do not let your pet cat roam outside the house, because it can increase the risk of toxoplasmosis. When you find a stray cat outside that needs treatment, just ask someone else to care for it. Most cats do not show signs of T. gondii infection.

• Pay attention to food consumption in cats

To prevent toxoplasmosis, don't give your cat raw or undercooked meat. When a cat consumes infected food or eats undercooked meat that contains parasites, he will be infected. It's better to provide dry food or canned food specifically for cats.

Well, do you still want to keep cats when pregnant? Note the above, yeah. If you are worried about contracting toxoplasmosis, immediately come to the doctor to do a blood test in the form of a TORCH examination and ascertain whether you have been infected or have immunity to this disease. If necessary, also check your pet at the vet, so that his health is guaranteed and free from various causes of disease.