	Central Veterinary Hospital Sandringham
HOME HOSPITAL INFO MEET OUR VETS MEET OUR VET NURSES PUPPY SCHOOL PET CARE FIND US CONTACT US	PET CARE Cats & Toxoplasmosis If you're a cat owner considering starting a family, you need to be aware of Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite which can be carried by cats without the animals showing any sign of illness. Most cats are immune and most people who have cats will also be immune, however if exposed during the first three months of pregnancy there can be a danger to the baby. A cat blood test would show if the cat had ever been exposed to the parasite, however this test would not indicate if the cat could spread the infection. The ideal would be for the humans involved to have a blood test. Cats pick up Toxoplasmosis by eating raw meat, mice, rats or birds that are infected, or by walking in contaminated soil, then licking their paws. The cat then sheds 'oocysts' the last developmental stage of eggs in its faeces, which humans can pick up through handling the cat litter. It is very easy to avoid the small risk of contracting Toxoplasmosis by taking the following precautions: 1. Completely cook all meat for each meal. 2. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meat. 3. Wear disposable gloves while emptying litter boxes, or gardening in areas where neighbourhood cats may have been (if pregnant it is best to leave this job to someone else). 4. Thoroughly disinfect the litter boxes with boiling water or an ammonia solution. Once you have a cat, you must keep it in good health. Once junior comes along a cat in poor condition can pass many parasites and diseases onto your child. To prevent a host of problems, keep your cat indoors, make sure your cat gets regular checkups and vaccinations and regularly clip the cat's claws to prevent accidental scratches.
	CENTRAL VETERINARY HOSPITAL SANDRINGHAM 26 Abbott St (Opp. Railway Carpark) Sandringham VIC 3191 Phone (03) 9598 7848

Central Veterinary Hospital Sandringham

PET CARE

Cats & Toxoplasmosis

If you're a cat owner considering starting a family, you need to be aware of Toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite which can be carried by cats without the animals showing any sign of illness. Most cats are immune and most people who have cats will also be immune, however if exposed during the first three months of pregnancy there can be a danger to the baby.

A cat blood test would show if the cat had ever been exposed to the parasite, however this test would not indicate if the cat could spread the infection. The ideal would be for the humans involved to have a blood test.

Cats pick up Toxoplasmosis by eating raw meat, mice, rats or birds that are infected, or by walking in contaminated soil, then licking their paws. The cat then sheds 'oocysts' the last developmental stage of eggs in its faeces, which humans can pick up through handling the cat litter. It is very easy to avoid the small risk of contracting Toxoplasmosis by taking the following precautions:

1. Completely cook all meat for each meal.

2. Wash hands thoroughly after handling raw meat.

3. Wear disposable gloves while emptying litter boxes, or gardening in areas where neighbourhood cats may have been (if pregnant it is best to leave this job to someone else).

4. Thoroughly disinfect the litter boxes with boiling water or an ammonia solution.

Once you have a cat, you must keep it in good health. Once junior comes along a cat in poor condition can pass many parasites and diseases onto your child. To prevent a host of problems, keep your cat indoors, make sure your cat gets regular checkups and vaccinations and regularly clip the cat's claws to prevent accidental scratches.