Rats and pregnancy?

[Urbanratgirl]

I am pregnant!

While this is fantastic news, I have been reading many things about cats and litter tray etc, saying stay away, and since I am the primary caregiver for my 4 little furry babies, I am concerened about the effects cleaning and handling could have on my future human baby..

I already wash my hands after handling, try to resist kissing them (it's SO hard) and try to stay clear of droppings..is there anything else anyone could share about what to avoid or the effects of these things?

I know there must be other rat lovers out there who would have gone through the same questions, and I haven't found any reading material on rats and pregnancy..so some help please??

[hyper_muse]

Oh yay!!! Congrats URA!!!

I Dont see how rat poo could effect your baby unless it was diseased or you ate a bunch of it   . After all your not living in poo and your washing your hands. You would only encounter the most amount of rat poo when cleaning the cage. I think the soap would do more harm.

Best thing to do is see your doctor, and or search on the net for foods and things that harm your baby.

Don't listen to me i wouldnt know the first thing about this, if anything i would like to know the answer to your question too.  

I've never been pregnant, I only get pregnacy scares........ all too often!
I think i'll stick to rat kids. Although i wish they would clean up after themselves.

Good luck and best wishes!

[Rolanda_Rattie]

Hiya, Contratulations on being pregnant!  

I think cats are a very big risk to pregnant mothers, well not the actual cat but the pee and stuff.  I remember a previous post on here where somebody said they used rubber gloves when cleaning their rats out, washed their hands a lot and stuff.

I'd say the doctor will advise u instantly to get rid of the rats, some of my friends were told that.  I don't think they were given any reason though and i don't believe that would be necessary.

Good luck with everything x

[stodda29]

Cats can infect the child of a pregnant mother with /Toxoplasma gondii/ if the mother's never been exposed to it before (a goodly portion of the human population has and never knew it) and if the cat was recently infected.  Cats excrete the organism in their feces for two weeks after they're infected, and then cease to excrete it.  The organism, in the form in which it's excreted, takes about 24 hours to become infective; if you clean out the litterbox every single day, it's not a risk, but it's a nice excuse to make someone else change the kitty litter.

I haven't heard anything about rats carrying organisms dangerous to expectant mothers, but washing your hands is never a bad idea.

[TheChicagoCrew]

Well this is what I found... pulled it out of the great black holes of the internet.....

http://forums.obgyn.net/pregnancy-birth/P-B.0111/2004.html

 So pretty wash your hands before you put things in your mouth or other such things that involve accidentally ingesting rat poop "stuff".
 
 Congratulations!

-Melina

Edited to add this article I found:
http://www.cnn.com/HEALTH/library/HQ/01391.html

[Urbanratgirl]

Thanks for the congratulations!

I also have a cat and am very aware of the cat effects, thank god he is an outdoor toiletting cat and I never see the stuff..

My mother is very concerened especially when the baby comes, and I said it's just like having a dog, rats have no more diseases..I am being very careful when handling, and unfortunately I can't resist a cuddle though and occasionally get wee-d on, but that is life..

I wouldn't bother asking my doctor because they have no understanding of rats at the best time..so I thought I'd ask here!

I just read that article that Chicargo Chew posted (thank-you) and apparently there is a virus which can cause illness and has the same symptoms as pregnancy..and can cause problems with the baby..I will have to wear a rain coat for cuddles!..*sigh* life becomes alot more complicated when thinking for 2! I think Rat kids were easier!

[Tizzrah]

Ask Ruthie.  She went through the same thing.