And, as I recall, cats can only get the parasite that causes toxo by
eating raw meat - such as outdoor cats eating mice.
Gloria
On Jun 14, 2005, at 12:20 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Hi Erika!
I can't stress enough that FeLV is *not* transmissable to humans
(pregnant or not)!!
I believe what the Cornell site is trying to do is to inform pregnant
women of the *rare* threat of toxoplasmosis (a parasite that *can* be
transmitted to humans unlike FeLV which is species specific)...and
because FeLV cats are immuno-suppressed, they could be more suceptible
to toxoplasmosis...but, again, we've got to use common sense
here...toxoplasmosis is mainly transmitted by contaminated meat...and
contaminated meat is generally found outdoors...as long as Tom remains
indoors, his chances of picking up toxoplasmosis are essentially nil!
And I will also take this opportunity, again, to point out the
toxoplasmosis is a fairly uncommon disease!
Unfortunately, the Cornell website is inadvertantly suggesting that
FeLV
is a threat to a fetus by telling pregnant women to avoid cats with
FeLV...this is *not* the case! Toxoplasmosis is the only parasite (or
disease, aside from rabies), that I know of, that can be
transmitted to
humans. It is highly unlikely that Tom even carries this parasite,
but
common sense measures should be taken when handling the litter box
(the
parasite is shed in the feces of infected cats)...always wash your
hands
after cleaning the box (wear gloves for even more protection!)...or,
better yet, have another member of the household clean the box while
you're pregnant! Personally, I would welcome 9 litterbox-free
months! :)
Hope this helps clarify!
Jen
****************************************************
"But if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be
unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the
world; You
become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed..." --Antoine de
Saint-Exupéry
"If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know
each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them, and
what
you do not know you will fear. What one fears one destroys." --
Chief Dan
George
----- Original Message -----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2005 11:40 am
Subject: FeLV and pregnancy
Does anyone know about having an FeLV cat while I am pregnant? Our
vet and
my OB said it is ok, but my mother is still worried. I am under
the impression
from all the info I have read that it is not transmissable to
humans, but the
Cornell site said to avoid FeLV cats if you are pregnant. Any
other research
out there? Help! I am not getting rid of my Tom!!!!
Also, Lots of good thought for finding Smokey.... I am sure you
will. >^..^<
Erika
When the defining moment comes, either you define the moment, or
the moment
defines you.
