F E AT U R E
than raw meat.
- Care of a sick cat should be left to someone else,
hence handling or adopting stray cats should be
avoided.
- It is also a good idea to cover children’s sandpits to
prevent cats using them as litter boxes.
- Cats most often become carriers of toxoplasmosis
by killing and eating wild animals that have been
infected, therefore, a good reason not to let the cat
outside to hunt.
How is it treated in pregnant women?
Antibiotics are available that can clear up most of the
symptoms of toxoplasmosis. Although they do not kill
the parasite, they can provide an effective treatment.
If a pregnant woman has a positive blood test result,
she may be prescribed antibiotic that reduces the risk
of the infection being passed from her to the baby.
If the child is infected, a combination of stronger
antibiotics may limit damage to the baby.
What is your advice to our readers regarding
Toxoplasmosis?
I would like to advise to have all your household cats
tested for antibodies to Toxoplasma. Many veterinary
hospitals in Dubai provide this service. If possible, the
cat should be tested before the woman becomes
pregnant. The Veterinary doctor will explain your results
to you. Get yourself tested for antibodies, preferably
before becoming pregnant. A positive test would
indicate past infection that will not be transmitted to
the baby.
Many women, cat owners come to my consult room
terrified of toxoplasma infection. I would like to highlight
the fact that the risk of getting toxoplasmosis when
you are pregnant is very low. Owning a cat doesn’t
mean that you will be infected with the disease. You
are unlikely to be exposed to the parasite by touching
an infected pet or through cat bites and scratches.
In addition, cats kept indoors that do not hunt or
consume raw meat are not likely to be infected with
T. gondii. In general, people are much more likely
to become infected through eating raw meat and
unwashed fruits and vegetables than from handling
cat faeces.
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