HSUS On The Myths And Facts About Toxoplasmosis

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THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES REACHES OUT TO NATION'S

OB-GYNs ON THE MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT TOXOPLASMOSIS

 

HSUS Seeks To Dispel Misinformation That Leads

Many Pregnant Women To Give Up Their Cats

 

WASHINGTON (January 27, 2004) Too often, cat owners who become pregnant

give up their feline family members out of fear of contracting

toxoplasmosis, a disease that can lead to serious birth defects in newborn

babies. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is contacting more

than 31,000 obstetricians and gynecologists nationwide with information to

help them and their patients understand the facts about the risks of

toxoplasmosis, with the message that pregnant women need not give up their

cats.

 

" Misinformation about toxoplasmosis is widespread, " said Dr. Patrick Duff,

residency program director of the department of obstetrics and gynecology

at the University of Florida. Dr. Duff penned the cover letter that

accompanies the new HSUS brochure, " Your Baby & Your Pet, " which will be

mailed to members of the American College of Obstetricians and

Gynecologists. " It is important that physicians provide the correct

information, which will help our patients remain healthy during pregnancy

and their cats to remain members of their families, " he said.

 

Toxoplasmosis is a rare disease in the United States, with approximately

3,000 newborns per year suffering from birth defects after their mothers

acquired the infection, according to a 1999 study referenced in

ìToxoplasmosis: A Practical Guide for the Clinician,î written for The HSUS

by Dr. Jeffrey D. Kravetz of the Yale University School of Medicine. The

disease-causing parasite is found in the feces of cats who ingest raw

meat, birds, mice or contaminated soil. Duff notes that it is extremely

unlikely that a cat kept indoors will carry toxoplasmosis. Outdoor cats

have a slightly higher risk.

 

ìA pregnant woman should stay away from cleaning the catís litter box if

possible,î Duff said. " If she must clean the litter box, careful

instruction and proper hygiene will be the keys to prevention. "

 

What many people do not know, is that toxoplasmosis is more commonly found

in uncooked or undercooked meat and that avoiding the disease is very

simple:

 

- Don't handle or eat uncooked or undercooked meat

- Keep your cat safely indoors and away from wildlife

- Have someone else clean the litter box daily

- Wear rubber gloves and follow with a thorough hand washing if you must

clean the litter box. Scoop feces as soon as you can, and at least daily,

since it takes one to five days for feces to become infectious.

- Feed cats only commercially prepared cat food

 

The HSUS is distributing its patient brochure " Your Baby & Your Pet, " and

Dr. Kravetz's guide for clinicians, to doctors as a part of its Pets for

Life program, which provides information to help people resolve obstacles

with pets to keep pets in the family for a lifetime.

 

The " Your Baby & Your Pet " brochure includes valuable information to help

pet owners prepare pets for the new babyís arrival and to help acclimate

pets once the baby comes home. For more tips from the Pets for Life

program, go to www.petsforlife.org.

 

" Bringing home your new baby need not mean the end of your relationship

with your 'first baby' - your pet, " said Nancy Peterson, companion animals

issues specialist for The HSUS. " Healthy children and pets can live

together safely and happily. Just ask any adult who shared his childhood

with a beloved pet. "

 

For more information on toxoplasmosis, go to The HSUS Web site at

http://www.hsus.org/ace/19108.

 

 

Editor's Note: For a copy of the " Your Baby & Your Pet, " contact

Karen L. Allanach at kallanach or 301-548-7778. B-roll is also

available for broadcast use.

 

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