we all have our freak outs!!

I would make myself sick over some of the things I would worry about.

Relax.
I had 2 bunnies, 3 cats and 3 dogs. I was fine.
I kept my pets clean and the house and myself clean.

You are doing what you are supposed to do. stop freaking out. it is natural, but try not to stress.

It's okay to get worried! But relax. I have one cat and I have my husband change her litter.

I also make sure to wash my hands frequently. Otherwise, my cat sleeps with me and we play all the time...I've spoken to my doctor about this and she said no worries...none of this is a problem, as long as my husband is cleaning out the kitty's litter pan.

With my first... I feared cat scratch fever (it is a real thing.. I think it is the toxo...)
Anyway. My cat scratched a tiny little scratch and I thought I was just going to die some grusome death. I laugh now. i know there are so many things to fear, and choosing one is not a great balance or solution.

I read that if you have had cats before you more then likely already had it, so not to worrry. I think its more a precaution, but Id have someone else to clean the cat litter. But i wouldnt worry too much.

I have four cats... none of which have been outside. If they have never been outside, they should not carry the disease. Also,I have read the same thing sandra mentioned. If you have had cats before you probably have already had it and it won't affect you or the baby. I still have my roommate scoop the boxes and i hired some guy to clean them once a week but try not to worry so much about it. If you do have to clean the boxes, wear latex gloves.

I've had a cat during 3 out of 4 of my pregnancies. My cat sleeps with me, eats on my counter, walks on anything and everything she wants, goes outside often and kills small animals frequently (mice, snakes, birds, ect...) If anyone should get this it would be me....lol
I'm sure you'll be just fine. I've heard that people who had cats before becoming pregnant are often times immune because they have already been exposed to it.
I would not change the box anymore though. If you have to change it make sure you change it as soon as possible after the cat has used the bathroom (within 24 hours), wear a mask (if possible) and wash you hands immediately (like you already are)
It's totaly normal to freak about everything while pregnant.
Good luck:)

Thanx, I think that has eased my worrying a bit. I am gonna try and relax now :)

yea it sounds like everything is fine with what you are doing, everything is clean and tidy, good luck :)

As a vet tech, I have learned all about the risks involved with getting toxo. It actually is easier to get it from undercooked meat that it is from your cat! So as long as your meat is cooked well, you can relax for the most part.

Not all cats carry what cause toxo. Having an indoor cat helps with that - they get it from eating things they've hunted which have the larvae in their meat (same way we can get it from eating undercooked meat). They then pass the larvae in their stool, and if we ingest it, then we can get it.

Here's an important thing to remember. Infected feces can't pass the disease along until its sat around for 24 hours. So if you clean the box every day, even if your cat is a carrier, you can't get it.

You can wear gloves and a mask to clean the box if it makes you feel better, but simply washing your hands afterwards is effective too. If I had cats, I wouldn't worry about it, I'd just make sure I washed my hands good after doing the box.

And in terms of being around the cat in general, you don't have to worry about that either. Toxo is passed on by ingesting the larvae that the cat passes in its feces. So petting your cat, cuddling it etc is not something you should worry about. If you're still concerned, just wash your hands after loving your kitty. Unless your cat has old dingleberries (that 24 hr rule), it shouldn't be able to contaminate things with the larvae.

If you wash your hands and cook your meat, you'll be fine!