thread: Toxoplasmosis....?

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  1. #1
    Registered User

    Oct 2009
    Bonbeach, Melbourne
    7,177

    Actually if you have lived for a period of time with cats (like more than a year) you have already contracted toxoplasmosis and have built an immunity. Still beat to avoid poo, and wash hands etc after cuddling, but the good news is you CAN cuddle your kitty. Confirmed by my vet, gp and midwife. If they're outdoor cats a bit more caution is needed with hand washing etc. Enjoy your fur babies!

  2. #2
    Registered User

    Oct 2009
    surrounded by textbooks, cat toys and love
    1,124

    Cats contract toxoplasmosis from rats, so if your cat hasn't eaten a rat then they're unlikely to have it (apparantly the bug gets inside the rats head and disrupts the part of the brain that fears predators, so they become stupid rats and are easy to eat). I've lived with cats all my life and fully expected to have contracted toxoplasmosis and be immune to it, but nope, haven't ever had it and have no immunity (blood test); but the cats I've had have never been interested in eating anything that didn't come out of their bowl.

    DH does all the litter handling, I haven't changed how I interact with them except for a little bit more vigilance with hand washing. Both my cats are fully indoor cats and would probably hide if a rat showed up.

  3. #3
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    Country Victoria
    5,945

    Actually if you have lived for a period of time with cats (like more than a year) you have already contracted toxoplasmosis and have built an immunity. Still beat to avoid poo, and wash hands etc after cuddling, but the good news is you CAN cuddle your kitty. Confirmed by my vet, gp and midwife. If they're outdoor cats a bit more caution is needed with hand washing etc. Enjoy your fur babies!
    Exactly. Chances are, you are already immune.

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Aug 2010
    139

    Awww yay thanks guys ... that makes me feel much better. As a nurse Im already pretty vigilant with the hand washing but had never heard of Toxoplasmosis until my mum mentioned it to me which made me paranoid.

    Anyway I have another Dr Appt on the 10th so i might ask her to add the toxoplasma immunity screen to the barrage of blood work she keeps stickin me with each week lol.

    Thanks again!!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Aug 2008
    qld
    2,661

    Actually if you have lived for a period of time with cats (like more than a year) you have already contracted toxoplasmosis and have built an immunity. Still beat to avoid poo, and wash hands etc after cuddling, but the good news is you CAN cuddle your kitty. Confirmed by my vet, gp and midwife. If they're outdoor cats a bit more caution is needed with hand washing etc. Enjoy your fur babies!
    Agreed..
    Ive lived with cats all my life and my cat doesnt even have a cat litter tray, i have 5 kids and tested negative with toxo until this pregnancy when i tested positive to exposure, my dr isnt concerend, as we dont know when i had contact and im ocd with washing my hands! He thinks maybe transfer from my kids touching me after they have played with the cat.
    Dont stress to much, give ur kitty a hug!