| Okay, so here is one of the topics of cat care that | | | | toxoplasmosis, as it can be extremely dangerous for |
| no one likes to talk about, but still needs to be | | | | anyone who comes into contact with infected litter, |
| covered, internal parasites. There are many different | | | | particularly a pregnant woman. Your cat can suffer |
| types of internal parasites that could potentially cause | | | | from this deadly parasite at any age, and since it can |
| medical problems in your cat, some of the more | | | | also be passed to humans, it is extremely important |
| common being hookworms, roundworms, coccidiosis, | | | | that any pregnant woman avoid changing a litter box |
| toxoplasmosis, and tape worms. | | | | or coming in contact with cat litter boxes. These |
| Even if you have had your cat wormed, she could | | | | organisms can cause severe birth defects and other |
| still get roundworms or hookworms. What is even | | | | problems for an unborn child. |
| worse, your cat can pass these parasites on to her | | | | If at all possible, a pregnant woman who owns a |
| kittens. These nasty little bugs can cause diarrhea or | | | | house cat should have someone else empty and |
| other types of symptoms in a kitten, but most of | | | | clean the cat litter box for her. If this is not possible, |
| the time they leave no trace that a kitten is infested. | | | | then extra care must be taken when the litter box |
| If you have children in the home, these little kittens | | | | must be changed and cleaned. Using disposable gloves |
| can pass these worms onto them, which is one | | | | to avoid skin contact with contaminated particles |
| reason why it is so important to have new kittens | | | | along with a dust mask to protect against inhaling |
| seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your vet | | | | airborne contaminants may reduce the risk; however |
| will likely send you home with a prescription worm | | | | it is well advised that a pregnant woman never |
| medication for the mother cat and the kittens, just in | | | | change a litter box. Having your cat stay with a |
| case. Laboratory tests are not one hundred percent | | | | family member until after the baby is born is another |
| accurate in detecting this type of parasite, particularly | | | | way to help protect the unborn child. |
| in young kittens, so it is better to treat them all, just | | | | Cats are exposed to toxoplasmosis when they eat |
| to be on the safe side. | | | | any type of raw meat, whether it is from a rodent |
| Another silent internal parasite that often preys on | | | | they have caught or from raw butcher scraps. These |
| tiny kittens is coccidian, which like to party in the | | | | raw scraps could be from any type of meat, so it is |
| kittens intestinal lining, often causing no noticeable | | | | best to avoid all table scraps for your kitty. |
| symptoms at all, and luckily, no harm to the kitten or | | | | Your cat should be seen regularly by a veterinarian |
| anyone else in the family. In some cases, your kitten | | | | for health checkups. It should be noted however that |
| may have diarrhea, but usually the vet will not | | | | you are the first line of defense for your beloved |
| prescribe any medication, and will let nature handle | | | | cat, and by reporting any changes in your cat's |
| the problem. | | | | behavior, you may catch an infestation before it |
| Just about every woman who has even been | | | | becomes life threatening for your kitty. |
| pregnant before knows or has heard about cats and | | | | |