Q&A

Q: My friend told me that while I am pregnant I should not clean my cat’s litter box.  Is this true?

A: Your friend is right!  Zoonotic diseases are diseases which can be transmitted between animals and people.  Although most zoonotic diseases pose minimal threat to most individuals, those with impaired immune systems such as infants, people with AIDS or on immunosuppressant therapy for cancer, organ transplants or immune mediated diseases, and the elderly are more susceptible than others.

 A few simple precautions you may take to protect your family, cats and dogs from zoonotic diseases include:  

1. Wash your hands before handling food or eating.

2. Wash fruits and vegetables before eating.

3. Filter or boil surface water before drinking.

4. Wear gloves when handling raw meat and wash your hands afterwards.

5. Cook meat to 160^oF or 80^oC (medium to well-done).

6. Avoid letting your pet lick your face, food utensils, or plate.

7. Do not approach any unknown animal.

8. Seek medical attention for all bite wounds and scratches.

9. Avoid direct contact with soil in areas where animals may have defecated (beaches, yards, parks).  Wear gloves while gardening and cover children’s sandboxes when not in use.

10. Consider keeping cats indoors.  Walk your dog on a leash picking up solid waste.

11. Feed your pet cooked or commercially processed food only.  Do not let your pet hunt and consume prey.

12. Do not clean litter boxes if you are pregnant.

13. Wear rubber gloves while cleaning the litter box and wash your hands afterwards.

14. Scoop litter boxes daily and periodically clean with scalding water and detergent.

15. Schedule wellness exams every 6 to 12 months.

16. Have your veterinarian run an annual fecal exam for all pets going outside.

17. Have all kittens, puppies, newly adopted pets and fecal positive pets de-wormed by a veterinarian followed by another fecal exam.

18. Seek veterinary care at the first sign of illness in one of your pets.

19. Keep rabies vaccinations current.

20. Maintain appropriate flea and tick control.

At Dr. Sandy’s Home Veterinary Care we use a certified parasitologist who uses a very powerful microscope to detect contagious parasites and we tailor our parasite prevention programs to geographic, seasonal and lifestyle factors.  For dogs we recommend an annual 4DX blood test for some zoonotic diseases. If you would like to schedule an appointment for a home visit, please call 818-708-7387.