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submitted: Jul 30th 2008 | by: KurtSchmitt | Total views: 1 | Word Count: 406 | |

Prevention of toxoplasmosis involves some simple precautionary steps for both you and your cat. Taking these steps won't guarantee that you won't get it, but every effort you make may help.

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by a single-celled parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Both domestic and wild felines are the definitive hosts for T. gondii, which means that the cat is the only animal in which the organism reaches sexual maturity. Both cats and humans may become infected by coming in contact with it.

Statistics show that Toxoplasma may be carried by up to 80 percent of the population in some parts of the world. As many as 60 million Americans may be infected. Patients who display Toxoplasmosis symptoms, however, are relatively rare and may be mild. Few people in otherwise good health seek treatment. Infected cats may not show any signs of the disease.

Eating raw or undercooked meat is the primary culprit, but there are other risk factors as well. In third world countries, walking barefoot on infected soil is a major risk factor.

Here's a list of a few of the things you can do to keep your cat and people in your household from contracting toxoplasmosis.

Do not eat undercooked or raw meat. If you touch raw meat, do not touch your face until you've cleaned your hands thoroughly.

Ensure that you thoroughly clean your utensils, hands, cutting boards, and sink with soap and warm water after preparing food.

Make sure you wash all raw fruits and vegetables thoroughly.

Turn over litter box duties to another person if you're pregnant.

Ensure that the litter box is cleaned at least once per day or more in order to dispose of cat feces before it becomes infective.

If you do clean the litter box, wear disposable rubber gloves and a mask to avoid breathing dust. Wash your hands after cleaning the litter box.

While outdoors, avoid sandboxes as cats may use them as litter boxes.

Wear gloves while gardening or working with soil. Keep your hands away from your eyes, mouth, and nose and wash your hands when finished.

Stay away from unpasteurized dairy products, especially goat's milk.

Here are a few things you can do to keep your cat from contracting toxoplasmosis.

Avoid feeding your cat undercooked or raw meat.

Keep your cat indoors to prevent her from picking up the disease from rodents or birds that may be infected.

Keep your cat inside to prevent it from coming in contact with contaminated soil, plants, or insects.

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