pregnancy and toxoplasmosis

**dizzy1** · 24-05-2011 19:43

I've been reading that wild Kangaroo carries toxoplasmosis so I should avoid it as we are trying for our 2nd. Also I am BFing too so?

Has anybody else heard this?

**MissEm** · 24-05-2011 20:28

cats also carry toxoplasmosis bacteria and it can be in soil too.

Always wear gloves when gardening and dont clean up cats litter trays etc as you can contract it from their poop.

**DeeLee** · 24-05-2011 21:07

You can also get it from handling raw meats. When I spoke to my vet I was advised that I had more chance of getting it from handling raw meat and not washing my hand properly than from our cats. Our cats are indoor only and are fed on dry food only.

**Leeny** · 24-05-2011 21:24

My uncles wife had a baby last year and he was very I'll as she had toxoplasmosis when she was pregnant and didn't know.

She got it because she eats a lot of raw meat (cultural thing).. The baby was very sick for quite some time and I believe he still hasn't fully recovered.

It can be contracted a few different ways.

**amyd** · 24-05-2011 22:16

The main ways of contracting toxo are from raw meat or contaminated chopping boards and things like that and from cat poo. You can still clean cat litter trays you just have to wear gloves and make sure you clean them regularly (it doesn't develop into the infective stage until its been out of the cat 24hours).

If you are really worried your doctor can do a blood test to see if you have been infected before. I've worked with animals my whole life and have never been infected so when I was UTD I just made sure I used good hygiene. If you have been infected before getting pregnant it's not a drama and won't hurt your baby.

As far as I can work out from the textbooks you can't pass anything on through breastmilk.

**biscotti** · 24-05-2011 22:36

A friend of mine from Uni transmitted toxoplasmosis to her unborn baby after eating rare (unknowingly) kangaroo meat at a cocktail party, I would definitely avoid!!

**dizzy1** · 25-05-2011 10:39

Hi Biscotti,

Oh no! What happened to your friends baby???

Yeah I really wanted to find out if anybody knew how prevalent the disease is in Kangaroo meat as I have read a few cases and I have someone trying to force it down my throat not taking my concerns seriously and making me feel like I'm being precious etc.

**biscotti** · 25-05-2011 10:59

Hi dizzy1

She was born with eye issues and some impaired vision.

You are definitely not being precious

no way

**dizzy1** · 25-05-2011 14:28

Thanks, I think it seems pretty safe for breastfeeding is that right?

Biscotti, that is so sad, I hope bubs is ok, do you mind if I ask where she was when she contracted it? i..e what state?