Cats cause infertility?

Mutai~Fayola · 08-23-2007, 06:50 PM

My DH was talking to his cousin's wife last night who asked if we would be keeping our cats, "Of course we are" he replied, she went on to tell him that we should get rid of them because her doctor supposedly told her that cats cause infertility and miscarriage. The only thing that I've been able to find on this topic is toxoplsmosis (which I already knew about) which is caused by coming into contact with either infected raw meat or feces from a cat who has come into contact with infected meat (DH has been on litter-box duty since the minute we found out I am pregnant). But it doesn't cause infertility, and she specifically mentioned cats directly causing infertility and miscarriage. Has anyone ever heard of this? Can anyone show me research and evidence of this? I've searched and searched and can't find anything even remotely related to this.

TIA~

Jashobeam · 08-23-2007, 07:43 PM

Looks like the doc said CAT and she thought actual cats. Catalase is being studied as it pertains to male fertility. I think they might also be studying how a male's catalase would later affect misscarriage rates, but most of what I found had to do with human vasectomies and studies on rats, cats and cows.

http://humrep.oxfordjournals.org/cgi...ppl_1/i210.pdf

mzamethystcrow · 08-23-2007, 07:51 PM

If cats caused infertility, then I'm in big trouble... my 2 cats + my sisters 6 cats = 8 cats! My house is a zoo! But, hubby and sister are on cat box duties...that is when one of hers isn't using my dirty laundry as a freaking cat box!

Kathy2579 · 08-23-2007, 08:05 PM

toxoplsmosis is the only thing I am aware of...

ariesladi25 · 08-23-2007, 08:10 PM

Hey there,

I myself have never heard of that! I would just ask you dr,it couldnt hurt to ask. The only I have always know is about coming in contact with the cat litter!

sorry i dont have much info!

Take care,
ariesladi25

Mutai~Fayola · 08-23-2007, 09:43 PM

Jash- She said the doctor told her something about mites on cats or in their urine. I wasn't the one who talked to her so I can't be certain what exactly the doctor told her, but I'm very certain that she meant for us to get rid of our cats.

I too would be in big trouble if cats caused infertility, we have 6!

moondogfluffy · 08-23-2007, 09:55 PM

There's a lot of old wives tales surrounding cats. You just can't touch the litter while pregnant, thats all.

Jashobeam · 08-23-2007, 11:48 PM

Humans can get sick from cats and sometimes the cats do not show any symptoms. However, it seems to be rare, and I've yet to read where it is related to infertility, though I have read of some that can cause miscarriage:

http://lib.bioinfo.pl/pmid:12606174/pmid/cit

am0rcita · 08-23-2007, 11:53 PM

Perhaps cats affect the fertility of single women as it makes it harder to find dates... lol...

Am0
bona fide cat lady

Future Doc Cyster · 08-24-2007, 12:00 AM

Mutai, Toxoplasmosis is the big issue with cats and pregnant women, and it is the only issue ever brought up in my year and a half of medical school regarding cats and pregnancy. It's been brought up in a number of classes, especially Microbiology and Pathology. If you are being careful, which it totally sounds like you are with DH and your sister on cat duties (no pun intended), you should be ok. Some people do get rid of their cat(s) when they find out they are pregnant, but many do not. If you're really concerned, talk with your OB, but I'm betting they'll probably tell you to just be careful.

If you'd like, I can ask my pathology professor. He's brilliant and could probably even tell us the incidence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women who are and aren't taking care of the litterbox. I might just have to ask him now because I'm really curious!!! I also have a friend who has been a vet tech for 6 years and would probably know. I'm just thinking of all the vets and vet workers out there who have been pregnant and handled hundreds of cats. I'm betting they don't go on maternity leave for 40 weeks and then some! Lol

I'll let you know what I find!

Mutai~Fayola · 08-24-2007, 12:56 AM

Doc Cyster- Thanks! I was actually thinking of my own pets vet, she has a very healthy 3 month old baby right now, and I know she didn't take her entire pregnancy off!

I only know of toxoplasmosis being a risk during pregnancy. Is there ANY other cat related pregnancy issues? She seemed to think that having a cat was the cause of her infertility. She specifically mentioned something about mites, either on the cats or in their urine.

I'm honestly sick to the teeth of hearing my MIL fear monger about how the cats will kill the baby when s/he does arrive. Maybe I'm being optimistic but the cats hurting the baby just isn't a fear that I have. I don't think I would have a pet in the house that I didn't trust. Of course that doesn't mean I'm going to let them sleep in the baby's crib or anything, or leave the baby unattended with them at least until they get used to him/her.

Future Doc Cyster · 08-24-2007, 04:07 AM

Ok. . .I'm not sure about the reliability of this source, but here's the link to a page where someone wrote in a question about cats and infertility. The answer was similar to what's been posted here about toxoplasmosis being a risk, but also long as someone else takes care of the litter box, you can keep your furbaby. It also mentions that there are many myths about animals causing infertility, but no animal can do that.

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Infertili...nfertility.htm

There is also a link to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) Webpage that discusses toxoplasmosis. It's a parasite that may be present in raw or undercooked meat as well as in cat feces. You must, however, ingest "the bug" to get the infection. Not all cats have it, and if they do, they shed it in their feces a few weeks following the infection. It goes away on its own.

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasi...m#cat_infected

It sounds a lot like salmonella and E. coli in that it's present in the world around us, but as long as we clean the surfaces it touches and our hands after dealing with it, we can avoid getting the bug! That basically means the handler of the litter should always wash his or her hands after cleaning the litter box to avoid contaminating household surfaces or food.

P.S. I know that toxoplasmosis may be a little off the topic, but it's interesting and informative!

Sarabeth28 · 08-24-2007, 11:54 AM

This is very interesting. I actually never heard of any of this. Great info. So when and if I become pregnant, my husband will be thrilled he will be on cat box duty.

Mutai~Fayola · 08-24-2007, 04:49 PM

Thanks so much for the info!!

saluki_fan · 08-24-2007, 05:20 PM

Quote:

I'm honestly sick to the teeth of hearing my MIL fear monger about how the cats will kill the baby when s/he does arrive.

Tell her "We aren't making any assumptions till the baby arrives." Honestly, our cat couldn't care less about our DS, for the most part. He sniffs around him sometimes, but for the most part, he is really good with him. He'll let DS gently pet him sometimes, but when DS starts chasing him, he just runs away, rather than get hissy or angry. How can she ASSUME what your cats will do before the baby arrives?

And if cats cause infertility or miscarriage...well, I guess my cat isn't really a cat, then.