Which animal should be avoided during pregnancy? Pets are great. They are entertaining, they may be a buddy, and they bring a lot of affection. It should come as no surprise that pets play a vital role in the lives of so many different families, or that so many women have “fur babies” or other kinds of pets before they start having children of their own.
However, along with all of the delight, there are also some worries, since certain dogs represent serious threats to both their owners’ safety and health. Therefore, when it comes time to consider expanding your family by having more children, you may find yourself wondering if it is safe for you to be near your pet while you are pregnant. The following is information that you really must have on the impact that having various kinds of pets can have on your pregnancy and your new child.
Is it risky to take care of animals while one is pregnant?
Many households consider their pets to be members of the family. To have a pet in the house is sure to add a lot of pleasure and delight. However, pregnant women need to be very cautious about the types of animals they bring into their homes and should be well-versed in the safest ways to handle and care for their pets.
Which animal should be avoided during pregnancy?
Hamsters, Guinea pigs, and mice
Take extreme caution while interacting with rodents like hamsters, guinea pigs, and mice if you are pregnant or have plans to get pregnant in the near future. They may be carrying a virus known as lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, which is sometimes referred to as LCMV. This virus poses a risk to both you and your unborn child. LCMV has been linked to serious birth abnormalities as well as the loss of pregnancies.
The house mouse, a kind of wild mouse that is commonly found around and inside dwellings, is the most common carrier of LCMV. It is possible for household rodents like hamsters and guinea pigs to contract LCMV from wild mice if they come into touch with them at a breeder, in a pet store, or even in your own home.
Pigs
It is likely that pigs might be a source of the illness known as hepatitis E, which is hazardous for women who are pregnant. Therefore, if you are pregnant, you should avoid coming into contact with pigs and pig feces as much as possible. The good news is that consuming pig products that have been cooked is perfectly safe.
Reptiles
Reptiles, such as lizards, snakes, and turtles, are kept as pets by certain people’s households. Amphibians, like frogs, can be found in certain families. Salmonellosis, often known as salmonella infection, and listeria monocytogenes are two examples of infectious diseases that can be spread to humans by the bacteria that are carried by reptiles and amphibians. Infections that occur during pregnancy can lead to major health concerns for both you and your unborn child, including the loss of the pregnancy and labor that begins prematurely.
Lambs
Lambs and sheep both have the potential to contain an organism called Chlamydophila abortus, which is known to cause ewes to experience miscarriages when it is passed on to them. In addition, they are carriers of toxoplasma. It is in everyone’s best interest to steer clear of lambing and milking ewes as well as any interaction with newborn lambs. If you have been in touch with sheep and are experiencing symptoms similar to the flu, you should see a medical professional.
Risk of some animals to pregnancy
Women who are pregnant or who may become pregnant should be cautioned to avoid having close contact with livestock animals. This will safeguard not only their personal health but also the health of their unborn child.
This is due to the possibility of the presence of pathogenic organisms in the birth fluids of animals, notably sheep, cattle, and goats. Infections such as chlamydiosis, listeriosis, Q fever, and toxoplasmosis may be the outcome of such organisms.
Because there are several animal species involved, each of which gives birth at a different time of year, the hazards are not just present in the spring, when the bulk of lambs are born, but they may also occur at other times of the year.
Even though these illnesses are infrequent, and the number of human pregnancies that have been damaged by contact with sheep is extremely low, it is essential that pregnant women are made aware of the possible hazards in order to protect both their own health and the health of their unborn child.
Avoiding the Spread of Infection by animals during pregnancy
In order to reduce or eliminate the potential for infection, pregnant women should:
- It is important to avoid touching and cleaning any articles of clothing, footwear, or other items that may have come into contact with animals who have recently given birth, their young, or their afterbirths. Potentially contaminated clothes can be safely handled after being cleaned in hot water.
- not aid pregnant ewes, cows, or nanny goats during the birthing process, nor should they help kids be born to nanny goats or cows.
- Stay away from lambs, calves, or youngsters who have been aborted or that have just been born, as well as their afterbirth, birthing fluids, or objects such as bedding that may be contaminated by birth products.
- Check to see that any contacts or partners who have witnessed animals giving birth have practiced the necessary levels of health and hygiene measures. This involves the use of personal protective equipment and clothes, as well as proper cleaning, in order to eliminate any potential sources of contamination.
If a pregnant woman has a fever or other symptoms similar to the flu, or if she has any reason to suspect that she may have picked up an illness from being in a farming environment, she should seek the counsel of a qualified medical professional.
Farmers and those who manage animals have a responsibility to reduce the dangers faced by pregnant women, including members of their own families, members of the public, and members of the workforce who come to visit farms.
How to look after your dog when you’re pregnant?
When you are pregnant, it is important to keep yourself safe by following these guidelines:
You shouldn’t allow your dog to jump up on your stomach.
Before you have your child, train your dog to break any undesirable routines, such as biting or jumping up on people.
Before your child is born, check to be that your dog has had all of the necessary immunizations.
If you and your dog have an unusually strong bond, you should ask your significant other or a member of your family to spend extra time with your pet. Your new baby will require a significant amount of your time and attention, so encouraging your dog to form friendships with other people will help him adjust to the upcoming changes in your household after the baby arrives.
How to look after your cat when you’re pregnant?
Although cats are safe (phew! ), the parasite toxoplasma, which is responsible for the infection toxoplasmosis and can cause harm to your child, may be present in their feces.
The good news is that you don’t have to stop petting your cat; not only is it a wonderful way to unwind, but it also beats the alternative of cleaning the litter box, which is a chore you should try to avoid. Lower risk of infection can be achieved by following these key steps:
- Do not clean out the litter boxes of your cat.
- If no one else is available to empty the litter tray, you should wear disposable rubber gloves. Trays should be cleaned every day and filled with hot water for five minutes.
- Stay away from ill cats as much as possible.
- When gardening, you should always protect your hands with gloves (even if you don’t own a cat) in case the soil is contaminated with cat poop.
- After you’ve finished gardening, make sure to clean both your hands and your gloves.
- If you do manage to get cat feces on your hands, the best thing to do is to wash them extremely thoroughly.
