Hello Everyone!
This is my first posting on the FML. I am not the greatest
computer person, so please forgive any incorrectness. What I am
is a medical student (6 months to MD -- and counting!) and a
relatively new ferret owner. She is named Tasslehoff (tas) after
the kender race in the Dragonlance Chronicles (the kender are a race
with insatiable curiosity, incredible theiving ability, and the ability
to fall asleep anywhere -- hmmm?!!!). Anyways, we love her very
much and the FML has been a HUGE source of knowledge for us.
Regarding ferrets and pregnancy:
>the doctor warned about the geat risks of having a pet (specially
>carnivour) in contact a pregnant woman: TOXOPLASMOSIS
I am NOT an OB/GYN, nor am I even an MD (yet), however, I wanted
to share what knowledge I do have. Toxoplasmosis is a parasite which
is a serious risk to the developing fetus. However, most outside
carnivores (cats, and ferrets, too) do pass this parasite on to
adult humans with some frequency. If you are pregnant, and your first
exposure to toxoplasmosis occured before you became pregnant, your
fetus should be safe -- you can mount a good immune response to the
parasite.
In short, if you were exposed to cats/cat litterboxes as a child or as a
non-pregnant adult, you should be safe once you do become pregnant. Many
pregnant couples prefer to have the litterbox handled by the male, just
to be safe. IF you weren't exposed before you became pregnant, but your
ferret or cat is an indoor animal, you are probably also safe. The only time
to worry is if you were never exposed before, are pregnant now, and have
a new outdoor pet.
I'm sorry this has been a bit rambling, but I'm not so good with the e-mail
editor. I hope I didn't confuse the issue any further.
Thanks to everyone on the FML -- it's been a great way for me to learn.
Also -- Tas does wag her tail when she's part way into a tube, or between
our legs -- only when it's clear that she's happy.
sincerely,
Melanie and Tas (is it time to play yet?)
[Posted in FML issue 0926]
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