Cats

[MelanieB]

Hi All,

I am a registered cat breeder and am just starting my walk down the IVF route.

I have a lot of people telling me “you’ll have to get rid of your cats” – which I do not think will be necessary... and it would go against everything I have said while doing cat rescue.

Yes, there is a RISK of toxoplasmosis if common sense is not used....but from what I have been told, all you need to do to basically stop this risk is wear rubber gloves when changing litter trays, not touch your face or food/drink until completely finished and your hands have been washed....and these are things I do naturally now when I am not pregnant!

I really do not believe any of my cats would sufficate a baby....but yet this is the excuse everyone is making to try and convince me that I should get rid of them.

Any thoughts?

[Rabbity Babbity]

I only thought the risk of having a cat around was the litter trays???

I am also not a believer that my cat would sufficate my baby...my cat was to nervous to go near the baby untill she was 6 months and now they're great friends. Very, very cute.

[MelanieB]

Sorry I think I may have worded part of my post in a confusing manner.

Litter trays are the only real risk (that I am aware of) when it comes to cats and these are the precautions to take to eliminate the risk:

- get someone else to change litter trays (if possible)

- wear rubber gloves when changing litter trays


- never touch your face or food/drink until completely finished and your hands have been washed

[bada]

If you have been exposed to cats for quite some time, you have more than likely already been exposed to toxoplasmosis which generally means immunity and generally ensures the unborn baby's safety.
You can have a blood test done to check.
Take precautions anyway eg avoid handling raw meat, exposure to cat feces, and gardening (cat feces are common in garden soil) and have someone else empty the litter tray if possible.

On the suffocation topic, pffft is what I say. Just make sure the cat is never left with the baby without you there. I hope that is the same precautions one would take with any animal.
You can also get full netted enclosures for the cot or cradle if you want to be overly cautious.
Our cat has stowed away under our blankets and been locked in the room with our DD on a few occasions without a problem. She also likes to imitate an ornament on DD's bookshelf, so gets overlooked and locked in with DD for naps. That's just us though, I still would take every precaution to make sure the cat is not left alone with the baby particularly when new.

Good luck

[Ana Gram]

Don't get rid of them. I don't understand how people can just get rid of animals :( I think it would be a very rare event that cats suffocate babies, not saying it never happens, just not often.

[MelanieB]

Good idea mummum!

I will go get that blood test done - I'll get my already existing referral for a blood test (I have them every 6 weeks at the moment while my doctor plays around with my thyroid medication) editted to cover the toxoplasmosis check as well.

[bada]

I think it would be a very rare event that cats suffocate babies, not saying it never happens, just not often.

I looked into it thoroughly when I was pregnant and from memory there was just ONE reported case of it happening. Hmmmm
And how many times do you hear of dogs eating babies :rolleyes:

[bada]

I did ask for the blood test but my doc said they don't do it unless you have a few miscarriages.

I hope it's a different case for IVF though. If they give you the same bs they gave me I would just demand it, surely you can pay for it out of your own pocket, so I don't see the problem.

[MelanieB]

Don't get rid of them. I don't understand how people can just get rid of animals :( I think it would be a very rare event that cats suffocate babies, not saying it never happens, just not often.
I totally agree and have been known to have wild rants at people who have just dumped their animal because they are pregnant or planning on having a child.....hence why I said it would be totally going against what I have said in the past while involved in cat rescue.

Getting rid of the cats in my mind is the LAST option....and to be perfectly honest, I think I would rather ditch the idea of having children than ditching my cats for a child.

[bada]

Cats and babies can be great friends see (http://www.bubhub.com.au/community/forums/album.php?albumid=717&pictureid=3350)
Well, kitty did swipe at DD for the first time ever shortly after this was taken but she put up with 10 mins of being "rocked" in the basket by DD before she cracked :D

[MelanieB]

I have no doubt kids and cats can be best friends....in fact I have become quiet good friends with a lady who brought two kittens from me...she invited us around for a BBQ and when I arrived she asked her then 2-3 year old son where "Ruby" was (being one of the cats I sold them).....off ran her son and came back with Ruby........in a head lock with her back legs being dragged along behind him....LOL It was the funniest sight I think I have ever seen, Ruby just had a "help me" look on her face but she had gone totally floppy and was letting this child do whatever he felt like to her.

...and Ruby was raised in a house where she had never even SEEN a child until the day she moved in with this family!

[Ana Gram]

My cat is quite horrible as far as cats go. She has bitten almost everyone and is just not pleasant. But she has never once swiped or bitten DD. Muffy comes and gets me if DD is crying (and has done so since she was a baby, she is now 5), she likes to sit on the bed with us during story time every night and doesn't like it if I yell at DD, she goes for me if I continue to yell in her presence :laughing:

[prideNJoy]

I was tested for toxoplasmosis when i fell pregnant with my first bub, i didn't even have to request the blood test.

It was just routinely done as part of the blood work, because the Dr. was made aware of where i worked (with animals).

Oh, and i continued to work throughout my pregnancy (both pregnancy's actually). :)

[MummaFug]

:laughing: At the cat being best friends with the children :laughing::laughing: you obviously don't know my cat :no:

Really ... Do people really think you are going to get rid of your babies to make room for a human baby ???

It is really just common sense and you will be fine. I didnt change the kitty litter - but you can do it if you wear gloves and try not to breathe in too much - but otherwise, there is nothing to say you shouldnt have kitties and kiddies live happily (OK - in my house just live) together..

Poor littel things get such a hard rap

GoodLuck with the IVF

[MelanieB]

So then....I'm totally not out-of-my-mind when I say "NOTHING!" (yes, I say it quiet forcefully hence the capitals! LOL) when people ask: "What are you going to do with your cats when you fall pregnant?"

[bada]

You might have to do SOMETHING with them ie feed them etc :laughing:

[MelanieB]

You might have to do SOMETHING with them ie feed them etc :laughing:

:laughing::laughing:
Oh but.....

....they have 4 legs, can't they do that themselves?


:laughing::laughing:

[lizzymcfizzy]

lol. people are so opinionated!! tell them you know the "risks" and how to avoid them. And tell them to mind their own business!