What's worse: cleaning cat box while pregnant, or letting it go for weeks while waiting for someone else?
I'm 4 months pregnant, live solo at the moment, and have two cats that share a litter box. I've been advised by my doctor's nurse, as well as family and friends to avoid cleaning it myself at all costs, due to risk of toxoplasmosis. Thing is, those people who care all live too far away to help- except for one local girlfriend who has offered to help. She was great about it at first, but now I can't get her to do it for anything. She avoids it like the plague! (even though I babysit for her occasionally in exchange for her help) It's been a couple weeks now since anyone has been willing to help me out, and the apartment smells like you wouldn't believe. What is more dangerous: Me changing the litter (the ammonia smell knocks me sick, plus the danger of illness and the warnings I've been given scare me) or letting the litter fester for weeks while waiting for someone to help me out (and my apartment smelling so horrible I almost can't take it)?
Pregnancy - 14 Answers
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1 :
wear gloves, wear something covering your mouth and nose, and do it yourself. remember to wash your hands and gloves when you're done
2 :
a friend of mine had this problem too, and her doctor told her she could clean it so long as she wore thick gloves and a face mask (to avoid inhaling the dust in the liter and the ammonia). she was also told to wash her hands after with hot water and antibacterial soap, and she never had any problem.
3 :
Umm I would think not cleaning it would be unhealthier for you than just cleaning it.. your letting that nastyness linger in your apartment, just clean it your self! Cover your face with a rag and just do it! Or get rid of the cats, your having a baby, they shouldnt be around the baby anyway
4 :
Letting it go until your guy realizes what stinks 4 weeks later!
5 :
I was told by my doctor and I am high risk that you basically have to touch the poo... to get toxoplasmosis and that is of your cats actually have it... they get it from being outside. I have 3 cats and live alone... I use gloves and a mask to change the litter box because that is what my doctor said would be ok to do and he said there is no risk. Hope this helps and good luck!!!
6 :
As long as you wear gloves and change it daily you should be fine. Make sure your cats are indoors and don't have access to live animals like rats and small birds, as they can give the cats the disease. Don't let them eat raw meat either. Your are more likely to contact toxoplasomosis from eating undercooked meats then from getting it from your cats. Make sure your cats are up to date on their shots as well. If they were indoor/outdoor cats, keep them inside for the time being, so they won't be able to hunt small animals. Since the smell makes you sick, you could wear a face mask, but be sure to wear gloves! As the disease is passed through the cats feces. If you been around cats most of your life, chances are you have already contracted the disease and developed an immunity to it. here's a link to pretty much confirm what I just said: http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/pregnancy-health/complications/toxoplasmosis.aspx
7 :
Sounds like you are going to have to clean it yourself. Obviously she isn't that great of a friend if she knows what doing that can cause you. You are going to need to purchase some face masks and disposable cleaning gloves, I think you can purchase these in bulk packs. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. You might want to research this topic just in case I left something out. HTH! Good luck dear!
8 :
Wear a face mask...like in the hospital and gloves if you absolutely have to. throw the gloves away and use a new pair each time.
9 :
Have the same issue here. Just make sure to wear a mask & gloves and then wash your hands immediately after. Odds are as well that since these are your cats you have built an immunity to it, but be on the safe side and wear the gloves.
10 :
just protect yourself well before changing the litter...
11 :
The first response is correct. Wear gloves and a mask (surgical ones work great) and then make sure that you wash your arms and hands well.
12 :
You can wear gloves and like someone else said, a mask too, and clean it out...make sure you wash your hands and stuff well after...you just dont want to get it on your hands....and you don;t want to breath it in either....you need to get rid of it...so wear gloves...
13 :
Clean it out for now. Wear rubber cleaning gloves and be very careful well scooping it out as to not get anything on you. While still wearing the gloves take the bag of used litter out to the trash, then wash your hands very well with hot water. Maybe you could try to find a neighbor that could do it for you in exchange for a couple bucks or another service, or even as just a favor.
14 :
Please call a veterinarian, ( I believe that your cats actually have to have toxoplasmosis in order for you to get it from them,) I don't remember how the cats are supposed to come in contact with it though. breathing those fumes is worse for all of you and your cats will begin to use other parts of the house as their litter box and then trying to get them not to use those same places in the house is almost impossible. When I was pregnant with my daughter 19 years ago, the doctor tried the same scare tactic on me, told me to get rid of my cats. I also know someone who tragically parted with five cats because of the same thing. Use a particle mask and wash your hands well after. The cats are tracking the mess from the box, what you can't see, through the house any way. Have you vet check them for toxoplasmosis if you are worried. x0x0x0x Lisa P.S. I have seen disposable cat boxes at H.E.B and Wal-Mart also check the INTERNET for flush able cat boxes, they are about $300.00 and are not hard to install and are do it yourself. They have a dryer for the litter and the saniflush solution for the feces. are the things that will have to be replaced
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