Can I keep a pet while pregnant?

Medical expert:

Pet Toxoplasma infection is not the culprit. Most normal people infected with Toxoplasma gondii have no symptoms. Only a few people sometimes have a low-grade fever and a runny nose, similar to the flu, and they can recover on their own. However, this can have serious consequences for the unborn fetus. Animal experiments show that Toxoplasma infection can cause miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal diseases, or postpartum diseases and malformations of the eyes, brain and liver, such as retinitis, cataracts, intracerebral calcification, hydrocephalus, mental retardation, jaundice and liver disease. splenomegaly.

How is Toxoplasma gondii transmitted?

Mainly transesophageal infection. The first is to eat undercooked meat. Infected pigs, sheep, cattle, rabbits, chickens, and ducks can be infected with Toxoplasma gondii, and the infection rate is very high. It is particularly worth mentioning that when people eat hot pot, they are accustomed to putting tender meat slices in the soup and blanching them before eating. However, they do not know that this short-term heating cannot actually kill the Toxoplasma gondii eggs that are parasitic in the cells of the meat slices. After eating, the larvae can pass through the intestinal wall in the intestine and spread throughout the body through the blood. Therefore, you can still be infected with Toxoplasma gondii even if you don’t have pets. Secondly, pets are the final host of Toxoplasma gondii. The feces excreted by infected pets is an important source of infection. If you are scratched or bitten by a pet infected with Toxoplasma gondii, you will also be infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

Dangers of Toxoplasma infection

Toxoplasma infection in pregnant women can be transmitted to the fetus. Congenital infection can have serious consequences for the fetus. Therefore, women who keep pets should do a TORCH test before preparing to become mothers. The examination of Toxoplasma gondii is one of the four items it contains. If the TORCH test report shows that you have been infected with Toxoplasma gondii, you can welcome the arrival of your baby with confidence, because only pregnant women who have not been infected with Toxoplasma gondii before pregnancy are likely to be infected if they have a first (primary) infection during pregnancy. For the fetus, if you have been infected with Toxoplasma gondii before pregnancy, you are no longer at risk of infection; if the result shows that you are infected, you cannot become pregnant for the time being; if everything is normal, you must be more careful because you do not have the relevant antibodies in your body , belongs to the easily moved people. After pregnancy, it is best to conduct reexaminations in the early, middle and late pregnancy.

Generally speaking, if a woman is infected with Toxoplasma gondii 6 months before pregnancy, the fetus is rarely at risk of infection because the body has enough time to develop immunity. If the infection occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy, it can be dangerous, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, or the birth of a baby with developmental defects. In the third trimester of pregnancy, as the fetus has gradually matured, if the mother is infected at this time, the fetus can develop normally, but premature birth or postpartum symptoms may also occur.

You need to do these things when raising a dog during pregnancy

During pregnancy, you must pay attention not to be too close to your pet, and pay attention to washing your hands frequently, especially in the first three months after pregnancy. During the month, keep a strict distance from pets.

Animal Expert:Healthy animals mean healthy people

Everyone who has raised animals deeply feels that animals enrich our lives and bring us infinite happiness. In recent years, scientists have conducted relevant research and found that animal companions can improve our physical and mental functions. Compared with people who do not raise animals, people who raise animals usually have normal blood pressure, stable heart rate, and a calmer mentality.

In recent years, as the number of household pet dogs continues to increase, people's terrifying claims that pets may cause Toxoplasma gondii and fetal malformations have been exaggerated and sensationalized, causing unreasonable panic and resulting in many pets being killed for no reason. throw away. What is the actual situation?

80% of pets may be infected with Toxoplasma gondii during their lifetime. The route of infection is usually through eating infected small animals such as mice. Pets that live entirely indoors and never go out have a very small chance of being infected with Toxoplasma gondii. , Toxoplasma gondii mainly exists in the intestines and stomachs of stray pets, and is generally not found in domestic pets.

Pregnant women who have pets must pay attention to the following points:

*Do not dispose of the pet's nest yourself. If you have to do this, wear rubber gloves.

*Pet feces and food dishes should be cleaned at least once a day. Toxoplasma parasite eggs are not contagious for at least 24 hours before being disposed of.

*The food bowl specially prepared for pets should be separated from other utensils in the home;

* Wash your pet’s bedding and pads regularly to help your pet develop a good habit of not sleeping on the bed;

*Don’t let pets lick you and your children, especially your face;

*Pay attention to whether your pet shows signs of illness. If so, treat it immediately;

*Bath your pets often;

* Try not to sleep with pets and keep the room clean.

Ultimately, maintaining basic hygiene guidelines and practicing good hand-washing habits can help eliminate the risk of contracting Toxoplasma gondii, as well as many other sources of infection. Please remember: healthy pets are happy pets, and only healthy pets can lead to healthy people.