Cats and pregnancy

Cats and pregnancy

Cat breeding does not cause infertility, but infection with “toxoplasma.” Has many harmful effects.

So what is toxoplasmosis?
It is a parasitic infection that infects many animals such as cats, cows and cattle.

Cats usually do not become infected with this parasite except in two cases:
1. Eating raw meat
2. exposure to feces of infected cats

As soon as cats are infected with this parasite, it begins to multiply in their intestines, then the eggs come out in the feces and are transmitted
to humans by cleaning their cats and not washing hands after that, so they eat with contaminated hands.

Effect of toxoplasmosis on pregnancy
This disease affects pregnancy if it is acquired during pregnancy, and its effects include:
1. miscarriages
2. Stillbirths
3. congenital anomalies

Symptoms:
1. Flu-like
2. Lymph node enlargement
3. rash

4. blurred vision
5. Spasm and twitching of the limbs

Ways to take care of cats to avoid infection:
1. Clean the litter box frequently and wash hands afterwards
2. Do not let cats out of the house
3. Do not give cats raw meat
4. Change the water daily

Diagnosis of Toxoplasmosis:

There are two types of analyses:

1. IgG analysis: indicates the presence of a
previous infection, and this does not affect
pregnancy and does not require treatment

2. IgM analysis: indicates the presence of a
recent infection and should be treated.

It is preferable that we do these tests before marriage to give the appropriate treatment before pregnancy.

  Dr Najeeb Layyous F.R.C.O.G

Consultant Obstetrician, Gynecologist and Infertility Specialist