WASHINGTON—Too often, cat owners who become pregnant give up
their feline family members out of fear of contracting
toxoplasmosis, a disease that can lead to serious birth defects
in newborn babies. The HSUS is contacting more than 31,000
obstetricians and gynecologists nationwide with information to
help them and their patients understand the facts about the
risks of toxoplasmosis, with the message that pregnant women
need not give up their cats.
“Misinformation about toxoplasmosis is widespread,” said Dr.
Patrick Duff, residency program director of the department of
obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Florida. Dr.
Duff penned the cover letter that accompanies the new HSUS
brochure, “Your Baby & Your Pet,” which will be mailed to
members of the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists. “It is important that physicians provide the
correct information, which will help our patients remain
healthy during pregnancy and their cats to remain members of
their families,” he said.
Toxoplasmosis is a rare disease in the United States, with
approximately 3,000 newborns per year suffering from birth
defects after their mothers acquired the infection, according
to a 1999 study referenced in “Toxoplasmosis: A Practical Guide
for the Clinician,” written for The HSUS by Dr. Jeffrey D.
Kravetz of the Yale University School of Medicine. The
disease-causing parasite is found in the feces of cats who
ingest raw meat, birds, mice or contaminated soil. Duff notes
that it is extremely unlikely that a cat kept indoors will
carry toxoplasmosis. Outdoor cats have a slightly higher
risk.
“A pregnant woman should stay away from cleaning the cat’s
litter box if possible,” Duff said. “If she must clean the
litter box, careful instruction and proper hygiene will be the
keys to prevention.”
What many people do not know, is that toxoplasmosis is more
commonly found in uncooked or undercooked meat and that
avoiding the disease is very simple:
- Don’t handle or eat uncooked or undercooked meat
- Be certain to wash all cutting boards and utensils that
may have come in contact with meat before using them to
prepare other foods
- Keep your cat safely indoors and away from wildlife
- Have someone else clean the litter box daily
- Wear rubber gloves and follow with a thorough hand
washing if you must clean the litter box. Scoop feces as soon
as you can, and at least daily, since it takes one to five
days for feces to become infectious.
- Feed cats only commercially prepared cat food
The HSUS is distributing its patient brochure “Your Baby
& Your Pet,” and Dr. Kravetz’s guide for clinicians, to
doctors as a part of its Pets for Life™ program, which provides
information to help people resolve obstacles with pets to keep
pets in the family for a lifetime.
The “Your Baby & Your Pet” brochure includes valuable
information to help pet owners prepare pets for the new baby’s
arrival and to help acclimate pets once the baby comes home.
For more tips from the Pets for Life program, please visit here.
“Bringing home your new baby need not mean the end of your
relationship with your “first baby” – your pet,” said Nancy
Peterson, companion animals issues specialist for The HSUS.
“Healthy children and pets can live together safely and
happily. Just ask any adult who shared his childhood with a
beloved pet.”
For more information on toxoplasmosis, click here.
The HSUS is the nation’s largest animal protection
organization with more than seven million members and
constituents. The HSUS is a mainstream voice for animals, with
active programs in companion animals and equine protection,
wildlife and habitat protection, animals in research and farm
animals and sustainable agriculture. The HSUS has protected all
animals through legislation, litigation, investigation,
education, advocacy and fieldwork. The non-profit organization,
which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2004, is based in
Washington, DC and has 10 regional offices across the country.
For more information, visit The HSUS’ Web site –
www.hsus.org.
