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Pregnant ladies with cats!

BellaUK586

511

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 07 September 2013 - 18:23

I had a very upsetting appointment with my obgyn, who basically told me I had to get rid of my cats. I said all my research and books indicated I should just take extra precautions but in all likelihood I would be immune having grown up with (outdoor) cats all my life, and it could just as easily be passed through improperly cooked meat and other means etc. She just said 'well it's up to you it's your baby, I just have to tell you'. Now my hubby is freaking out about having our cats around, even though we don't change litter trays, and the cats don't sleep in our room. Has any one else's Dr told them this, because everything I have read has said this is not necessary?

Awayfromhome15

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 September 2013 - 12:38

Hi Bella, that's great news, and sounds as though those precautions will cover you completely. I know how precious your baby is, and I was very paranoid through my whole pregnancy. Even if you wanted to keep setting your husbands mind at ret throughout the whole pregnancy you could perhaps go for a test every couple of months. Good luck wit your pregnancy and hope your Dr calms down or that you find a different one who has more relational views. Enjoy your kitties and your bump living in harmony :-)

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BellaUK586

511

Posts

EW GURU

Latest post on 08 September 2013 - 11:13

Thanks ladies, I thought it was ludicrous and checked the NHS advice (which is what I would be told and following if I was at home) which of course said nothing of the sort. I am in AD and I just carried on with the Dr I usually have my regular women’s health checks (who is arab and I know can mean huge differences in opinions on animals anyway). She spent about a max of 10 minutes with me overall, asked me next to no questions about my health except about diabetes, did not tell me anything about the foods I should be avoiding (except alcohol) so if I had not read my own stuff and done research I’d know none of these things. I thought it was just poor overall but convincing my hubby that in actual fact the Dr is rubbish and is incorrect about this is not an easy task. I work a lot with animal rescue, and see it time and time again that people abandon their pets when babies come along and I find it really irritating, so I just wanted to be sure I wasn’t being p!g headed and stubborn if it was something that is genuinely advised across the board and everything I have ever read and known is wrong! Believe me, my cats mean a lot to me and there is no way that I would abandon them, I grew up with animals my entire life and believe I am so much better for it, I would rather send them to my family in the UK for the next 7 months. Our cats are outdoor and only have a litter tray for ‘emergencies’ if they are in when we are out, and it is maintained by our housemaid. I have asked her to keep it super clean and any time it is used to throw the whole lot out and disinfect it. I bought some antimicrobial type spray for their fur which is natural ingredients so I will use once a week and clean their paws etc. And I will just buy lots of antimicrobial hand gel and use it and wash my hands whenever touching them and before eating. Hopefully that will be enough, and in the meantime I will find a better Dr and even come to Dubai for appointments if I have to and get myself checked for immunity!

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littlelou71289

123

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 08 September 2013 - 10:05

We have two indoor cats and have kept them throughout the pregnancy. My ob/gyn told me I tested negative for toxoplasmosis at my first blood screening. He said after testing negative and already having the cats for 5 years and handling the litter box that whole time, I was not at risk for getting it through the cats. (However, my DH still does the litter box to ease my bending down load for now.) The disease is spread through cat feces. If your cats don't already have it and they stay indoors, they can't get it now. Relax and try to find another practitioner. There are far too many scare mongers here.

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Nomad

1601

Posts

EW EXPERT

Latest post on 07 September 2013 - 19:52

i think this i absolutely ridiculous advice. all the research says exactly what you have found. you are more likely to get toxoplasmosis from doing the gardening or eating unwashed vegetables! your obgyn sounds ill informed. my cat has not gone anywhere. i do not have toxoplasmosis. Spot on advice.......a girl I knew tested positive for toxoplasmosis and had no contact at all with any animals,she was severely allergic,never went near them. Her Obgyn said it was in all probability veggies. Such ill informed advice, get DH to do a bit of reading online for more balanced info. Frankly I had never heard of so much hype about this until I lived in the ME. It is possible to have a balance in life of animals and kids in fact their lives IMHO are far richer for it. To set DH mind at rest just don't go near the litter at all including the dust and all will be fine. All the best .

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Awayfromhome15

Posts

EW NEWBIE

Latest post on 07 September 2013 - 19:24

Who is your obgyn, that is so ridiculous. I have 3 cats, am cat mad. I also fed lots of strays, trapped strays for neutering, even fostered one in our house during my pregnancy. I just took precautions. So silly of her! Just make sure your husband does the litter and tell him to chill and read the advice from somewhere like the UK, honestly! If your husband isn't around get some disposable rubber gloves and wear them to do the litter and then wash your hands. It's so unlikely you will get it.PLEASE do not get rid of your cats, they are a responsibility too. You will be fine, just take all the precautions and hygiene methods that you usually would. I would have laughed at her if she'd said that, I cannot believe she's giving out that advice.

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