Question for those with feline furbabies

[bluefairy5]

We have a Siamese cat who is the wee furry love of my life, and obviously I'm not scooping his litter right now (in fact, haven't been for the past year; when MH's out of town I wear disposable gloves, wash my hands thoroughly afterward, and sanitize all surfaces I touched at any point in there). And I figured I'd be doing a lot of hand-washing after cuddle sessions if I've touched his paws.

Then, I just ran across an article (about optimizing your environment post-IVF) that brought up infections and toxoplasmosis and actually said, andIquote, "Don't touch the cat."

Don't touch the cat?? Is that just a crazy Interwebz Tinfoil Hat idea? Do you (or will you) modify your behavior around your kitteh? I honestly think it'd break my heart (not to mention his).

[tumbleweed]

My RE offers a toxoplasmosis test to his patients who have a cat/cats. If your RE offers it, maybe take it just to be sure you are clear. I'm not sure what the odds of an indoor cat getting it (assuming they don't eat mice or raw meat) but I'm guessing low. I don't own a cat, but have cuddled a ton of cats at friend's homes. I might ask about the test. What's another blood draw!?

[lillee]

What! I cleaned the cat box this morning before ET. I'm waiting to see the Dr now, I might ask him.

[NariaDreaming]

Ok, that's just straight up insane. You're more likely to catch toxo from gardening than you are from an indoor-only cat

[daydreamsam]

I have indoor/outdoor cats and asked my RE about any precautions I need to take. He said not to clean the litter box and if I absolutely had to, I should wear gloves and a mask. DH took over litter box cleaning and occasionally one of the cats will pee on the bathroom rug (fucker) so I don one of those painters masks and gloves to put it in the washer (and wash it in hot water). He had no concerns about me loving on my cats.

[mrsg80intn]

This is super interesting and I plan to ask my RE for insight... Thanks for bringing it up, but I'll freak if I can't pet the cat (and the cat will freak too!)

[bluefairy5]

*phew*

I feel so much better. And so glad I can keep cuddling my little Siamese prince In the interim since posting, I maaaaay have left a hyper voicemail for my nurse. daydreamsam, I've always wondered whether I should get a mask too, when I absolutely have to clean the box (like when MH was out of the country last week). I'll definitely do that, since I'm already doing the gloves thing. (p.s. My cat pooped on the floor the other day out of sheer spite. I feel you on the rug thing.)

lillee I wouldn't worry about it -- now that I calmed the F down and did some googling (after leaving aforementioned voicemail) I found a CDC page that says the parasite actually doesn't become infectious until 1-5 days outside the cat (who knew?). So if you change the litter once/day the CDC appears to think you're okay. (That said, the CDC does also say if you possibly can, have someone else change the litter for the duration of pregnancy.)

ETA - Don't freak mrsg80intn, according to NariaDreaming this was a Tinfoil Hat Interwebz article, and I'm inclined to believe Naria

[bandm14]

My first RE just said not to clean the box, so DH has been on litter duty! But I still give all the cuddles and kisses to my two cat babies

[deelopi9]

My RE indicated toxoplasmosis is mostly found in patient West Coast, anywhere else it's not a concern. Not sure where you live but hope this helps.

[sundaybrunch]

What?!?!? There's no way I'm not going to touch our 4 month old kitten! I think you're at greater risk handling raw meat than playing with your cat.

bluefairy5 Step away from the interwebz

[mrsg80intn]

Jan 20, 2015 14:47:09 GMT -5 bluefairy5 said:

*phew*

I feel so much better. And so glad I can keep cuddling my little Siamese prince In the interim since posting, I maaaaay have left a hyper voicemail for my nurse. daydreamsam, I've always wondered whether I should get a mask too, when I absolutely have to clean the box (like when MH was out of the country last week). I'll definitely do that, since I'm already doing the gloves thing. (p.s. My cat pooped on the floor the other day out of sheer spite. I feel you on the rug thing.)

lillee I wouldn't worry about it -- now that I calmed the F down and did some googling (after leaving aforementioned voicemail) I found a CDC page that says the parasite actually doesn't become infectious until 1-5 days outside the cat (who knew?). So if you change the litter once/day the CDC appears to think you're okay. (That said, the CDC does also say if you possibly can, have someone else change the litter for the duration of pregnancy.)

ETA - Don't freak mrsg80intn, according to NariaDreaming this was a Tinfoil Hat Interwebz article, and I'm inclined to believe Naria

Whew!  Thanks @nariadreaming!!!!  I feel better.  For the record - we use a mask whenever we change the litter... a few months ago though our cat revolted against us and decided that while peeing in the litter box was ok, pooping was not so she pooped like 15 times in the house (we were on vacay)... that was fun to come home to!!!!!

[SweetieShellie]

*loss mentioned*

That's nutty! Our cats are indoor cats (never been outside unless its to move houses or vet, and that's in a carrier!), and DH is doing litter boxes. But there is nooooo way I'm going to not touch them. I do not want them to feel like I'm pushing them away. Also, when I was pregnant with my angel 3 years ago, my male cat decided he was going to lay on my lap all the time (even before I figured out I was KU), and he isn't normally like that (unless it's 2:30am and you're sleeping of course). I'd assume he'll act the same if I get KU again.

[cinzink]

I haven't heard that at all. I may have to ask and look into it more. Initially I informed my RE about all of our animals. She didn't seem concerned. I have goats I handle daily even. And they're much dirtier than my cats....

Edited because spellings hard.

[bluefairy5]

cinzink Goats! Goats are awesome!

Well, my nurse called back and she was not laughing at me, and said it's a pretty common question. They don't test for it there, though, so she's going to ask my RE if he thinks I should have my OB test for it. Not sure what that would achieve since I'm supposed to start stims on Friday, buuuuut....

[lillee]

I asked the Nurse and she said not to worry about it. She said to just have DH clean the cat box now that the transfer is complete. No arguments from me

[tikoberry99]

OMG I have the most cuddly cat in the world and can't imagine not being able to cuddle at night! He keeps me warm too! The only thing I plan on changing is that the new DH will be cleaning up the cat shit instead of me. I would never be able to abstain from touching my dogs and cat! They are my children.

[sammae]

A big ol' pfffft. That's total tinfoil hat business. The only thing my Dr. said not to do was scoop the litter, although there's a way greater risk of it if your kitty's an outdoor cat (or you're gardening).

tikoberry99 I think our kittehs are twins!!

[tikoberry99]

Jan 20, 2015 17:02:29 GMT -5 sammae said:

A big ol' pfffft. That's total tinfoil hat business. The only thing my Dr. said not to do was scoop the litter, although there's a way greater risk of it if your kitty's an outdoor cat (or you're gardening).

tikoberry99 I think our kittehs are twins!!

OMG! How old is your kitty? They are freaking twins that is crazy!!!! So cute! 

[RN1175]

*Children mentioned*

I agree with what most said as far as petting and handling the cat being fine. I also think that because your cat is an indoor only cat the chances of her being infected are much lower.

As far as cleaning the cat box, I think you are doing the right thing by wearing gloves and cleaning your hands right away after. I don't think it's a good idea to continue cleaning it when you do get pregnant though. Is there someone you can pay to do it if YH is gone? If and when I am pregnant I will have DD scoop the catbox daily like she does now and clean and change the litter weekly while I supervise. She will get paid of course.

[durham1008]

I had no idea this was even an issue. I don't remember if my RE even asked about animals but we got our kitten just a few months ago. Should I be making DH clean the litter box? Because I have no problem with that...

[sammae]

tikoberry99 She's almost 3. How old is yours?

[cindal]

My OBGYN tested me for toxiplasmosis or whatever its called during my first infertility workup. I tested negative and I've been cleaning up after kitties, and playing in the dirt nearly my whole life. I still clean my furbabies box and simply wash my hands, because hey that's good hygiene, afterwards. I had read, been told, heard at some point in time that its only dangerous if you contract it during pregnancy. So until I get my bfp(or during the 2 ww of an ivf cycle) I'll still be on litter duty. And the idea of not even touching my furbabies is just...laughable really. I can't go more than an hour hardly without cuddling one of them.

[tikoberry99]

sammae Parker turned 2 in November!

[bluefairy5]

I approve of the cat pictures that have popped up in this post. Approve most thoroughly.

[MrsRC88]

I've read it's more of a problem with young kittens and outdoor cats. My two feline fur babies are older (9 and almost 12) and exclusively indoors. I don't anticipate any issues. H will take over litter duty once I get a bfp.

[crazycatlady6]

I was told not to play in the litter box but other than that, I'm allowed to cuddle/play/feed them. I better since sometimes they are the only thing that keeps me sane!

Where is the picture of your Meezer baby?  I have a blue point Siamese, she's a little sass pot but she's awesome.

[remylove1011]

**Begins to make tinfoil hat for bluefairy5**

[juneroses]

I read somewhere on the interwebz that tox (to lazy to spell) is really only contagious for a short while after the cat is exposed. So for an indoor kitty, the danger zone would be long passed. My ob (eons ago, before IF), just said to have DH clean the box after I was PG. FYI, I amended that to include TTC...he never caught on or questioned it.

[juneroses]

I read somewhere on the interwebz that tox (to lazy to spell) is really only contagious for a short while after the cat is exposed. So for an indoor kitty, the danger zone would be long passed. My ob (eons ago, before IF), just said to have DH clean the box after I was PG. FYI, I amended that to include TTC...he never caught on or questioned it.

[durham1008]

Jan 20, 2015 20:45:12 GMT -5 juneroses said:

I read somewhere on the interwebz that tox (to lazy to spell) is really only contagious for a short while after the cat is exposed. So for an indoor kitty, the danger zone would be long passed. My ob (eons ago, before IF), just said to have DH clean the box after I was PG. FYI, I amended that to include TTC...he never caught on or questioned it.

Oh, good. I'm about to tell DH that I can't clean the litter box. He wanted the cat anyway lol.