Toxoplasmosis: cats and pregnancy

Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy: the cat's fault?

Dear friends, I am writing to you as a Veterinarian who’s spent a lifetime with dogs, cats and their owners, in times when every good Veterinarian had thousands (and I mean thousands) of clients. Imagine how much experience and security you can acquire during years and years of daily work with dozens of four-legged friends visiting every day! I’ve also been, for many years in Padua (Italy), a cat Veterinarian, and I’ve never experienced, nor known of, female clients who contracted toxoplasmosis from their cat.

The necessary measures against toxoplasmosis

But really, quite simple hygienic measures are sufficient to avoid the slightest risk, and it’s enough that women don’t clean the toilet bowl. Because you should take into account that: first the cat must contract the disease; second, if it has contracted it, it only has a few days to be able to transmit it; third, in those days the feces must remain in the box for at least 48 hours; fourth, whoever takes care of the box must provoke contact between the feces and their mouth; fifth, the person must be sensitive to it, because it depends on the sensitivity of the individual; sixth, the person must be pregnant or imminently pregnant.

Cats and pregnancy: what really is dangerous?

The real contagious sources are badly washed vegetables and raw meat. Taken that human health is a priority, should one really estrange animals for such an unlikely danger? Is it not better to just apply the necessary and basic sanitary rules when evaluating cats and pregnancy?

Any doubts? Consult your Vet immediately.