Cats and infertility?

[lopezowa]

I'm pretty new out here so there is still a lot of questions that I want to ask. Is it true that having a cat can couse a woman to be infertile? I've heard on two ocasions that cats spread their bacteria on people and it can couse a woman to be infertile. Anybody know something about this? To me it sounds very weird but I want to make sure because we have one. I don't want to take chances.

Anna

[BC-Maura]

Hi Anna: While it's true that Toxoplasmosis can cause problems for a pg woman (causing m/c or fetal abnormality), there is also research out there that suggests that it might cause or contribute in some way to infertility (possibly related to antisperm antibodies). See, e.g.,
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...125&query_hl=2 . I'll see if I can find more.

If you are concerned, you can have a simple bloodtest to see whether you have it or have had it in the past. I would speak to your doctor about this and see what he/she says!

That said, I know LOTS of cat owners who have had babies, so I think you are probably fine.

Good luck and keep us posted+++++++++++++++++++
Maura

[BC-Lulu_4]

Hi Anna,
I agree with the ladies above. Cats cant cause you to be infertile. However, I have stopped cleaning the cat litter, which isnt a problem for me. After 3 mc's, i just dont want to take the chance.

[lopezowa]

Thank you guys very very much. It realy helped me. Like I mentioned before, I did not know, but all your responces were helpful. This cat thing is interesting and weird at the same time. Don't you guys think?

Thanks so much once again. Anna

[lopezowa]

Just wonder if it works the same for a guy? I have not heard it is (only about woman), but my husband is a cat lover and we have a sperm problem (count, mobility, etc.). Any idea?
If it is, I will think more about having this cat. I love him BUT I rather have a CHILD!

[Cat Mom]

Hi Ladies,

I had to chime in here since I am a cat person. I have three wonderful furbabies, one of which is sitting on my lap as I type this.
I have spoke to both my ob/gyn and my veteranarian, yes, my vet for my cats. Both said while preg woman can get toxo, it is not common and cats do not affect fertility.
I asked my vet because she works around animals all day long and worked throughout her whole pregnancy, up until three days before she had her son. She had a very healthy baby. I wanted to get her take on it since she is an animal doctor, and also how to get my cats to accept the baby, if and when we ever have one.
My gyno said , for me anyway, the chances of getting toxo is very rare as I was raised on a farm and have been around animals, their waste, food, water, body fluids, etc. since I was born. She said that more than likely since I have always been exposed to that sort of thing, I would not have an issue with it. But if I felt that strong about it, she would do a blood test and give me meds if need be.

Anway, that is just my take on it. Thanks for reading!

[shellbell]

I strongly agree with CAT MOM.

I also have three cats who i love dearly, but I too have asked and have been told that if Ive alwasys been around cat that I've probably already contracted toxoplasma??? but have already built an immunity since exposure.


As for being infertile, there are so many unexplained reasons and explained reasons for infertility but it is not fair to blaime the furry friends.


Shelly