How to Adopt a Cat With Toxoplasmosis

People, particularly pregnant women, are often wary of cats with toxoplasmosis. This disease can be transmitted to humans from undercooked meat or the feces of an infected animal, and a pregnant woman can pass it to her child in utero. However, human infection is rarely harmful and completely preventable. Do not let a toxoplasmosis diagnosis prevent you from adopting a cat or force you to get rid of your current pet. Seek treatment from a veterinarian and follow some simple steps to avoid human transmission.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hand soap
• Cat litter scoop

1. If you know your cat has toxoplasmosis, take him to a veterinarian for treatment. In most cases, the cat will be treated with an antibiotic.

2. Always wash your hands after petting the cat, before you eat, after cleaning the litter box or after handling anything from a sandbox or garden.

3. Wear gloves when changing cat litter. Use a litter scoop to limit contact with the litter itself.

4. Use gloves in the garden or sandbox to limit the possibility of contact with infected cat feces.

5. Keep your cat indoors. It's safer for him overall and will also limit the availability of raw meat for him to eat. Raw meat is usually the source of the Toxoplasma Gondii parasite.

Tips & Warnings

• A healthy, non-pregnant person should handle gardening and litter box changing.
• Avoid adopting a cat or kitten during pregnancy.
• Toxoplasmosis can cause birth defects and miscarriages when pregnant women are exposed.
• Toxoplasmosis can affect people with deficient immune systems.

Resources

• Cornell Veterinary University Toxoplasmosis Information