MIAMI, July 10, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The University of Maryland Medical School's recent study linking women infected with toxoplasmosis to higher suicide rates caused quite a stir in the pet community. The infection is commonly spread through contact with cat feces, a fact that has caused anxiety amongst many cat owners. To help put their minds at ease, petMD.com has pulled together a list of safety precautions to prevent you and your pets from contracting the disease.
"Because of the many routes Toxoplasma can take, getting rid of your pet cat will not significantly lower your chances of getting this disease," states Dr. Lorie Huston, a petMD spokesperson. "Practicing good hygiene is one of the cornerstones of preventing infection. Some simple precautions are all that is needed to protect yourself and your family from toxoplasmosis."
- Handle Cat Litter Properly: Whether or not you believe your cat is carrying toxoplasmosis, you should always wash your hands after handling cat litter and even consider wearing disposable gloves. Germs and other bacteria can remain on the skin for hours and can cause areas other than the litter box to become infectious.
- Clean the Litter Box Daily: Even if a cat has contracted toxoplasmosis, the feces does not become infectious for 48 hours. By cleaning your cat's litter box once a day as recommended, you can help decrease the chance of contaminated fecal matter infecting you, your family, and other pets.
- Wash Your Hands Before Handling Food: It is good practice to get into the habit of washing your hands prior to handling or consuming any food. Doing so will decrease the chance of ingesting germs, bacteria, and even parasites.
- Wash all Produce Thoroughly Before Eating: Because cats bury their feces, there is an increased chance that fruits and vegetables have come into contact with the parasite. However, washing your produce prior to consumption will diminish the chance of contracting toxoplasmosis and other diseases.
- Wash Your Hands After Gardening: Gardens can be an ideal place for cats to defecate. To protect yourself from harmful parasites, always wash your hands and any skin exposed to the soil after gardening.
- Cook all Meats Thoroughly Before Eating: Toxoplasma can live in the tissue cells of infected animals. Eating raw or undercooked infected meat can transmit the parasite into your body and infect you. Ensuring all meats are cooked thoroughly prior to ingestion can decrease the chance of this happening.
- Do Not Feed Your Cat Raw Meat: Although some veterinarians approve of a raw diet for cats, giving your cat raw meat only increases his chances of contracting toxoplasmosis and other food borne pathogens.
- Keep Your Cat Indoors: In order to help prevent your cat from coming into contact with the disease, keep him indoors. Outside, cats can become infected with toxoplasmosis through various means, including hunting and drinking contaminated water.
- Dispose of Your Cat Litter Properly: Dumping used cat litter into a garden or your yard increases the chance of people and animals coming into contact with and contracting the disease. Dispose of the used cat litter in a sealed trash bag, cleaning cat litter boxes prior to replenishing them with fresh litter.
- Cover Litter-like Areas: Cats often use litter-like substances such as sand when going to the bathroom outdoors. If you have a sandbox in your yard, make sure to cover it when it is not being used. Doing so will prevent cats and other creatures from using it and increasing the spread of toxoplasmosis.
Media Contact: Kelly Lange, 610-234-4114, klange@pet360.com
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