Toxoplasmosis - Incubation Period?

[ShelbyMay]

I think I remember reading somewhere that there is a risk to the baby even if you contract toxoplasmosis before you're actually pregnant. Does anyone know how long before conception the risk is present? DH wants to know if he can have a break from litterbox duty since we're taking at least a 3 month break from TTC. :rolleyes:

[ds2003]

Is your cat a strictly indoor cat? If so, toxoplasmosis isn't really an issue, but you should still take precautions. I have a strictly indoor cat and was told to wear gloves and wash my hands afterwards. I may have even been told to wear a mask. I was tested for it and do not have the antibodies which means that I have never been in contact with toxoplasmosis. As a result of my test, I don' always wear gloves or a mask, but I do always wash my hands (but I did that anyway). I dont' know the incubation period? Once we know i'm pg, DH will take over litter duty, until then I do it since I've been tested and my cat is strictly and indoor cat. My RE told me that you can also have the cat tested.

[e&d]

I think you'd be completely fine to do the litterbox. My midwife told me (after I was pregnant) that I could change the litterbox as long as I didn't eat the poo. ;)

On this page, they say the incubation period is unknown, but probably 5-23 days. http://www.health.vic.gov.au/ideas/bluebook/toxoplasmosis.htm

This page was also helpful.
http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/pregnancy_and_toxoplasmosis.html

[ShelbyMay]

Thanks -- looks like I'm back on litterbox duty until at least 1 month before we resume TTC. :rolleyes: ;)

[tenofcups]

It's possible that I'm mistaken, but I'm pretty sure my cat was tested for it earlier this year and when she came back clean, the vet said I shouldn't worry about continuing to take care of the litter if/when I do become pregnant.

My cat went through numerous tests earlier this year (she died this summer), which is why I'm hedging by saying that I'm not certain that's what we were talking about, but I'm *almost* certain. You could check with your vet and see if such a test is possible.