Cats, Toxoplasmosis, and other anxieties.

[lamassu]

Hello Mumsnet,

I have always looked up answers for reassurance here, and this is my first time seeking for advice!

I went into our kitchen this afternoon after hearing some noise to find a neighbour's cat had broken in and she was walking all over my kitchen countertops, sniffing at my prenatal vitamins.

I have wiped down the countertops now but I am worried about the vitamins.

They're in a plastic pill box, most lids were closed except the one from this morning.

They're really expensive vitamins and there's 8 more pills in there...I don't know if she's touched them but I definitely saw her sniffing them.

I don't have a cat so I don't usually worry about toxoplasmosis and I don't know how worried I should be.

They were really expensive so I don't want to throw them away. It also feels quite wasteful. Would you throw them away or still take them anyway?

Also, I have noticed that I've become increasingly neurotic and anxious since I became pregnant. I used to be so chilled out and nothing worried me unless it was super serious and now I worry about the tiniest things... It's been really frustrating to deal with as I am not used to high levels of anxiety. I don't know if my worries are rational or not.

Thank you for your thoughts and replies.

It only really comes from cat poo, so you shouldn't be doing any poo scooping of any animal, but especially cats.

Don’t worry your vitamins will be fine. Just wipe down the surfaces and try not to worry about it. You can only catch it from cat poo e.g changing the litter box.

Hi. Please don’t worry.
You are more likely to get it from not washing your vegetables or gardening without gloves, or even uncooked meat than a cat in your kitchen. Chances are also, that this cat has had toxoplasmosis before (seeing as it is an outdoor cat) therefore has immunity and it is of no concern anyway.

I’d really recommend “expecting better” by Emily Oster.

Please don’t worry. As the others have said toxoplasmosis is only a risk if dealing with cat poo. I have cats and all that’s changed is that my DH has to always be the one to change the litter tray rather than me.

I too am normally laid back, and have had the odd thing that I randomly get anxious about now that wouldn’t bother me before. I have found I will be anxious about something and then the next day I am completely over it. Unfortunately it’s mostly to do with hormones that you can’t control, but if you feel it’s getting you down it might be worth speaking about it with your midwife.

Hi everyone,

Thanks for your reassurance. I think I just really needed a peace of mind!

Thanks for the recommendation, CouscousEvaporator, it's a good time to read books during this isolation period ;)

xxxemzyxxx it's good to know I am not alone - I also find once that after some time, I completely forget about the thing I'm worrying about!

It comes from cat poo, if the cat has it that is. They just ask pregnant cat owners not to clean litter trays, being around cats is totally safe you will be fine xx

Hi if it makes you feel better, I have 7 cats and was around them and cleaning their trays for weeks before I realised I was pregnant. I had a test done for toxoplasmosis and it came back negative, and said I had never had the infection before either so it must be quite rare :)