NEW SURVEY SHOWS PREGNANT WOMEN GETTING MIXED MESSAGES ON
TOXOPLASMOSIS AND CATS

WASHINGTON (December 28, 2004)- A report published in the current
issue of Contemporary OB/GYN magazine finds that physicians continue
to focus on cats as a main cause of toxoplasmosis transmission in the
United States despite evidence to the contrary.

The Media Relations Department has sent out the following:
It is saved as I:/News/2004/December/toxo results.rls.doc
Toxoplasmosis is a disease that is transmitted through contact with
infected meat or through accidental ingestion of contaminated cat
feces. While the disease does not pose a serious threat to healthy
individuals, an active infection during pregnancy can result in eye
or brain damage in infants.

According to James Richards, DVM, director of The Cornell Feline
Health Center at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine,
acquiring toxoplasmosis directly from one's pet cat is close to
impossible. "Dealing with the most likely sources of infection
instead of erroneously blaming-and then banning-the cat will help to
keep the entire family, including its feline members, living together
in harmony," Richards said. "Misinformed advice to 'get rid of the
cat' needlessly creates a lot of heartache."

In January 2004, The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)
conducted a comprehensive mailing including the brochure, "Your Baby
and Your Pet," to 32,636 practicing Fellows, Jr. Fellows and Associate
Affiliate members of the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists (ACOG). The brochure focuses on proper ways to introduce
babies and pets and provides accurate information about toxoplasmosis.
Also included was "Toxoplasmosis: A Practical Guide for the
Clinician," written by Jeffrey D. Kravetz, MD, of Yale University
School of Medicine, and a postcard request with a survey. A cover
letter in the packet was penned by Patrick Duff, MD, Department of
Obstetrics and Gynecology at The University of Florida.

The postcard survey asked two questions: Do you ask your pregnant
patients if they have cats? If they have cats what do you advise?
Respondents had eight selections to choose from including an option of
"other," to include anything not presented in the selections.
Respondents were asked to check all that apply. Choices included:
blood tests for mother; blood tests for cat; put cat outside; re-home
cat; have someone else clean the litter box; avoid eating raw or
undercooked meat; wear gloves when gardening.

Most OB/GYNs ask their pregnant patients if they have a cat, according
to the survey findings. For patients who have a cat, 1,364 physicians
offices recommended not cleaning the litter box, 1101 said to avoid
raw or undercooked meat and 888 recommended wearing gloves while
gardening. Approximately one-half of all respondents indicate that
doctors are not advising patients of all three sources of infection.
Results of the survey are based on 1, 459 responses from doctors'
offices in all 50 states.

"What we are seeing in the results is that most doctors still focus on
the pet cat as the primary source for toxoplasmosis infection, when in
reality, pregnant women in the U.S are more likely to contract the
disease from eating raw or undercooked meat and from gardening without
wearing gloves," said Dr. Patrick Duff.

More than 400 doctors recommended blood tests for pregnant women who
have cats. However, this is not recommended in the U.S., according to
Dr. Jeffrey D. Kravetz in the "Practical Guide for the Clinician,"
since the false positive rate and the low prevalence of congenital
infection make screening for pregnant women problematic.

Nancy Peterson, issues specialist for The HSUS reports in the
article, "While there were only 42 responses of 're-home cat' or 'put
cat outside,' that number grows enormously when multiplied by the
number of patients who receive that advice and pass it on."

The survey results reinforce the need for doctors nationwide to dispel
the myths and get the facts on toxoplasmosis. Knowing the right
precautions will allow more pregnant women to take the appropriate
preventative measures to protect their unborn babies without having to
give up the beloved family cat.

"Millions of American households include cats," Peterson said. "The
good news is that it is safe to keep your cat if you're pregnant as
long as you follow a few simple precautions. Keeping your cat indoors
and asking your neighbors to do the same is the best prevention."

Editor's note: The HSUS packet including "Your Baby & Your Pet," and
"Toxoplasmosis: A Practical Guide for the Clinician," is available
upon request. The mailing was recently honored by the Cat Writers'
Association.

An electronic photo file (jpeg) of the "Your Baby & Your Pet" brochure
is also available.

Media Contacts:
Polly O. Shannon, 301-548-7793, pshannon@hsus.org
Karen L. Allanach, 301-548-7778, kallanach@hsus.org.

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group Dec. 29, 2004