Cat Litter Toxic...

[pomtzu]

I suppose thousands of cats will be thrown outside or dumped in the shelter due to this report!!! Mine, I'm keeping them. It's simple, don't put your hand in your mouth after cleaning the litter boxes unless you wash your hands.

There are always those who will respond to this new finding by going off the deep end! However, the parasite is found mainly in cats that are allowed outside, since they pick up this parasite from killing mice, rats, and other small animals that carry it. Humans can also get the parasite from handling raw meats and vegetables, so now do we eliminate them too??? Wash your hands, people, and quit pushing the panic button.

[Catty1]

I read an article on that issue. It DID say that people who are more prone to suicidal behaviour might be more sensitive to T Gondii in the first place. Other way around, if you see what I mean.

[pomtzu]

We should all quit eating, drinking and breathing - just to be on the safe side - since just about everything anymore, carries health hazards.

[catnapper]

Hmmm... maybe there is something to a neuro-toxin parasite in litter..... I mean, how else could we explain the existance of cat crazy women?

I was sane and normal one day. Then *pow* I had a household of cats. It was the litter! Thank goodness I have a diagnosis. Whew.

[pomtzu]

Hmmm... maybe there is something to a neuro-toxin parasite in litter..... I mean, how else could we explain the existance of cat crazy women?

I was sane and normal one day. Then *pow* I had a household of cats. It was the litter! Thank goodness I have a diagnosis. Whew.

LOL!!!

No - it's not the litter - it's what you scoop out of the litter. Kitty Krap! If there's a way to eliminate that, then the problem is solved.

[smokey the elder]

I did a massive facepalm when I read this because it'll lead to more dumped cats, IMO. When just some common sense (which isn't, unfortunately) like washing your hands after cleaning the kitty boxes will prevent problems.

[chocolatepuppy]

There are always those who will respond to this new finding by going off the deep end! However, the parasite is found mainly in cats that are allowed outside, since they pick up this parasite from killing mice, rats, and other small animals that carry it. Humans can also get the parasite from handling raw meats and vegetables, so now do we eliminate them too??? Wash your hands, people, and quit pushing the panic button.

Only problem with inside cats, where were they 'before' I adopted them. Tessa was in a feral colony. Angel, who knows if she was ever outside? Tessa and Angel where around many cats at Petsmart and in foster homes on cage breaks. Missys mama cat went outside, she never did. RB Sassy, I found on the street. Just hoping people don't worry about that. I'm not. Why would you not wash your hands after 'digging for gold in the litterpan'?
Good heavens, imagine the diseases and germs from my dogs? And I let them on my bed!!!

[Jessika]

Only problem with inside cats, where were they 'before' I adopted them. Tessa was in a feral colony. Angel, who knows if she was ever outside? Tessa and Angel where around many cats at Petsmart and in foster homes on cage breaks. Missys mama cat went outside, she never did. RB Sassy, I found on the street. Just hoping people don't worry about that. I'm not. Why would you not wash your hands after 'digging for gold in the litterpan'?
Good heavens, imagine the diseases and germs from my dogs? And I let them on my bed!!!

Absolutely. And cats can shed toxo without ever showing clinical signs of having it.

Bottom line, this is no bigger of a deal as it was before the news blew it out of proportion. That's their job, you know, scare tactics.

Oocysts passed in a cat's feces are not immediately infectious to other animals. They must first go through a process called sporulation, which takes one to five days depending on environmental conditions. Once sporulated, oocysts are infectious to cats, people, and other intermediate hosts.

So you'd have to be in pretty unsanitary conditions, your cat is not a good groomer, or you yourself never wash your hands or bathe. Not saying you still couldn't get infected, but this isn't a very common thing. So clean your box every day, and don't allow your cat to walk across food preparation areas. You know, things we should already be doing lol

http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/toxo.html

[Asiel]

I only know that I cannot go near cat litter because of my immune system-- and I am not allowed to have cats or even be near them, much less pet them...if I do pet one then I have to wash my hands and use alcohol to rinse them. The doctor did explain the whole thing but it was long ago and I really don't pay much attention to all the details. I know it has something to do with cats harboring something in their gut... about all I do know,I just followed orders and don't have cats.

[Cataholic]

Asiel, I think things have changed....BUT, of course, only do what you feel comfortable with.

[krazyaboutkatz]

Yes, a lady I know had e-mailed me a link about this. Here's the link is any one wants to read it: http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/201...nNI1scGA.email. I'm not afraid to be around cats or to clean their litter boxes. All of my cats are indoor only and they've all been dewormed too. I'm not going to be getting pregnant either so no worries there. There's always something on the news that tries to scare people and there are so many every day things that they now say can cause cancer. We can't live in fear because if we do then why live at all.