Cat poop a 'vast and underappreciated' public health problem due to T. gondii parasite: scientists

[XemaSab]

I can haz parasite?

Your cuddly, meme-worthy kitty -- or, more specifically, its poop -- could be a "vast and underappreciated" public health problem, scientists warn.

Pregnant women and people with immune deficiencies have long been warned to stay away from cat feces due to the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, responsible for toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasma infections can cause flu-like symptoms, blurry vision, and in severe cases brain and organ damage.

But in recent years evidence suggests that T. gondii can wreak havoc in ways not previously imagined. People with mental disorders such as schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder are more likely to have T. gondii antibodies in their system, indicating contact with the parasite, than the general population, and some researchers believe it may be responsible for memory or cognitive problems in otherwise healthy people. It has even been linked to conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and brain cancer, and to kids doing poorly in school.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/health/cat-poop-vast-underappreciated-public-health-problem-scientists-article-1.1394070#ixzz2YbxHP700

[darkangel218]

1. Oh fuck this.

I would rather die happy hugging my kitty than without her.

Life is too short to give up your pets because of toxoplasmosis. I grew up with cats, been around cats my whole life and I'm not dead.

Fuck this shit. No offence to the OP.

[L0oniX]

3. "cognitive problems"

[darkangel218]

4. Being Loony you mean?

[NV Whino]

33. The OP ran out of song bird threads

She's moved on to kitty poop.

[L0oniX]

2. No wonder Meow mix hasn't been arround DU for a long time.

[exboyfil]

5. A great article in the May Scientific American

on this issue.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=pathogens-from-humans-cats-kill-seals-dolphins

[darkangel218]

7. Theyre just cat haters.

[exboyfil]

8. And opossums and cattle

which also contribute to the problem. Also humans.

The article said that one thing that should happen is keep Fluffy inside (which is a good practice anyway - just ask the songbirds).

I think you are joking, but it is serious and the authors did not advocate getting rid of Fluffy - just do more research to quantify what is going on. Policy discussions can come later.

[darkangel218]

10. I know all is to know about toxoplasmosis.

Theyve been scarying people with it forever.
I wasn't jocking. This is silly.

[gvstn]

17. Exactly!

This is what my cat thinks of Scientific American's fancy-pants research:




And I'm going to eat dinner off that same table a little later after just wiping it off with a kitchen sponge.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2235650/The-kitchen-sponge-200-000-times-dirtier-toilet-seat--lead-PARALYSIS.html

[darkangel218]

18. +1million

[quinnox]

6. yea, well, I have to serve kitty. That is not up for debate.

[pinboy3niner]

41. "Mr. Chambers, don't get on that ship! The rest of the book To Serve Kitty, it's...it's..."

[galileoreloaded]

9. Pets in America. The ultimate sunk costs fallacy. Nt

[darkangel218]

12. Excuse me?

[galileoreloaded]

15. We spend

Enough on pets annually to insure every American for healthcare fully.

Fluffy gets surgery while some kid in Michigan can't get 4 dollar antibiotics.

Our priorities are fucking sick and twisted.

[darkangel218]

16. Who are you to decide who or what people spend their money on??

There is no free vet care , we pay each and every time we see a vet. Animals for some people are their children. Meaning they equal humans. Who do you think you are to say peoples priorities are messed up?? Have you ever heard of to each their own?? Fight the legislature if you have a problem with the lack of affordable medical care for humans, but don't Fuking dare telling me I'm wrong for taking my pets to the vet!!

[galileoreloaded]

19. You should responsible decide

But you believe animals are equal humans. Think about that.

See a car accident with a cat and a person and who do you save? What if it was your cat and a stranger? A relative and your cat?

Listen to yourself. I stand by the statement that our priorities are fucked.

[darkangel218]

21. I have no obligation to save the human first. unless i work as a first responder.

Take your authoritarism someplace else.

[galileoreloaded]

23. So your cat is more important. Got it. Nt

[darkangel218]

25. Yah, it is.

Bye bye now.

[galileoreloaded]

26. hey, that takes real guts. much respect for just admitting it. seriously.

[darkangel218]

31. What part dont you get it??

Sayonara! Go trash animals to someone else. You're blocked.

[galileoreloaded]

32. lol. you misunderstood. nt

[AllINeedIsCoffee]

40. Mine too.

[Arugula Latte]

20. You know what I think is fucked up, sick and twisted? The money we spend on the fucking military

and all its corporate buddies. THAT is truly vile.

[galileoreloaded]

24. Totally agree. Nt

[TDale313]

28. We have a lot of issues in this country.

IMO, too much love for our pets is not one of them. I care about making life better for humans, too... But you'll pry my kitteh from my cold, dead hands

[galileoreloaded]

30. i dont want to lol.

i just want people to understand their choices and own em.

pick kittehs over kids, great. its your choice, just own it

[TDale313]

35. Not an either/or. But whatever.

Enjoy stirring the kitty litter.

[GreenStormCloud]

36. Having a loving pet helps old people to be more healthy and live longer.

I am 67, and as I type this, my cat is asleep on my printer. He often seeks out the room I am in and curls up close to me. He doesn't cost much, just a few dollars a month for food. The benefit I get, and the lowered health care costs for me, are well worth it.

For many old people, our pets are our children.

[naaman fletcher]

11. I agree

Cats suck

[darkangel218]

13. No, you do. if thats how you feel about kittehs.

[Arugula Latte]

22. Back atcha.

[Duppers]

43. yeah and people do too!

Most cats are nice, loving, comedic critters. Just as people, cats cannot help the fact that they sometimes get diseases!

I love cats yet prefer big dogs. (I've owned both at the same time and will again.)

[loyalsister]

14. People with mental disorders....

I wonder if they had a disproportional sample of people who have cats as comfort animals as opposed to jumping to the assumption that it causes "mental problems."

[NYC_SKP]

27. Imma start a Poop Appreciation Thread....

after a little more research...

[pinboy3niner]

42. Your defecation to science is admirable

[Politicalboi]

29. Damn, now I have to return the present I bought

http://www.hulu.com/watch/2325

That's the smell of fun...... When you hear a scratch, here comes a batch., Litter Critters.

[NickB79]

34. And here I thought DU was a bastion of scientific acceptance

But even here we have threads like this, where well-done scientific studies are poo-pooed (pardon the pun) because they run counter to some people's preconceived notions.

[NuclearDem]

37. ...

[joshcryer]

38. You get fined in some jurisdictions for not picking up dog shit.

For reasons similar to this. Simply the fact that poo can carry illness which can spread.

[HooptieWagon]

39. This is true.

Just use reasonable caution. Petting/holding your cat is fine. If you touch their butt or handle feces, wash your hands well. oh, and keep your kids sandbox covered when not in use...cats like to use them for a litterbox.

[Duppers]

44. Toxoplasmosis Info & Precautions

What Is Toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii, which can be found in garden soil and raw meat. Cats can get toxoplasma infection by killing and eating infected prey. The disease can also be passed on from cats to humans.

How Do Cats Get Toxoplasmosis?

Cats most often become carriers of toxoplasmosis by killing and eating wild animals who have been infected—a good reason not to let your cat outside to hunt! A cat may also contract the disease should he come into contact with an infected cat’s feces. Once a cat is infected, the parasite multiplies in his intestines until immature eggs called oocysts are shed in his feces. Infected cats can shed oocysts for up to two weeks after initial infection.

What Are The Symptoms Of Toxoplasmosis in Cats?

Most cats become immune to the disease through exposure to the parasite. However, those who aren’t already immune may have mild diarrhea and a loss of appetite; the disease can also affect a feline’s lungs, liver and nervous system. Kittens exposed to the parasite while still in the womb are most vulnerable—and are more likely than adult cats to show symptoms.

What Should I Do If I Think My Cat Has Toxoplasmosis?

If you suspect your cat is carrying the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, it’s time to get him tested by your veterinarian. If he tests positive, it means he has been exposed to the disease but is unlikely to be shedding oocysts after an initial two-week period. If he tests negative, it means he has not been exposed and could still become infected and shed oocysts—but again only for two weeks.

Cats who are capable of shedding eggs should be isolated from children and other pets, pregnant moms and any immunocompromised people in the household. Also, be sure to clean his litter box and bedding twice each day while wearing disposable gloves.

Is There A Cure for Toxoplasmosis?

Antibiotics are available that can clear up most of the symptoms of toxoplasmosis. Although they do not kill the parasite, they can provide an effective treatment.

How Can People Catch Toxoplasmosis?

Although people can be infected through contact with cat feces, the far more common way for someone to have contact with the parasite that causes toxoplasmosis is through unhygienic handling of raw or undercooked meat, drinking contaminated water and exposure to garden soil or sandboxes where infected cats may have defecated. People do not get the disease through direct contact with the cat himself.

Can Humans Get Toxoplasmosis from Cats?

Fortunately, most people have been exposed to or infected by Toxoplasma and already have immunity to the disease. People with weakened immune systems run the greatest risk of contracting toxoplasmosis. If a woman is infected while pregnant, the growing fetus can also become infected. This can result in cysts in the fetus’ brain, and can lead to developmental abnormalities, miscarriage or stillbirth. People with compromised immune systems are susceptible to a number of infections and should take the proper hygienic precautions to protect themselves against exposure to the disease.

What Are the Symptoms of Toxoplasmosis in Humans?

People who are affected by toxoplasmosis may have fever, shortness of breath and neurological problems, such as seizures and lack of coordination. Those in relatively good health will usually show no signs or simply have mild, flu-like symptoms.

How Can Toxoplasmosis Be Prevented?

If you have reason to be concerned (if your cat hunts, for example), cat parents, pregnant moms and immunocompromised individuals can take some simple precautions against toxoplasmosis:

*Have all cats in your household tested by your veterinarian for the parasite and make certain the test results are explained to you.
*Keep your cat(s) indoors.
*Do not feed your cat raw meat.
*Do not eat undercooked meat yourself.
*Do not allow your cat to hunt and eat wild mice, birds, etc.
*Use disposable rubber gloves when cleaning the litter box.
*Wear gloves and protective clothing when gardening.
*Cover your child’s sandbox when not in use; this will prevent possibly infected cats from defecating in it.
*Take proper hygienic precautions when handling raw meat.
*Pregnant moms and immunocompromised people with cats who cannot get someone else clean the litter box for them should wear gloves, clean the litter box promptly twice a day before the oocysts can become infective and wash their hands when finished.

It is not necessary to relinquish a cat if he has toxoplasmosis. By taking the recommended steps above to practice good hygiene, both cat and humans can remain safe and healthy.

[KentuckyWoman]

45. good post

thanks