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Pets: Avoid toxoplasmosis

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Toxoplasmosis, which can lead to possible birth defects in pregnant women, is a rare disease in the U.S. and equally rare in humans, and it can easily can be avoided. It is found more often in uncooked or undercooked food than in the feces of cats that digest raw meat, birds, mice or contaminated soil. If cats are always kept indoors, as recommended by the Humane Association of the United States, toxoplasmosis becomes a nonissue.

Toxoplasmosis can be avoided by practicing good hygiene and responsible pet care, such as:

- Avoid handling or eating uncooked meat.

- Wash all cutting boards and utensils that might have come in contact with meat before using them to prepare other foods.

- Keep cats indoors.

- Have someone else clean the litter box daily; if you must clean it, always wear rubber gloves and thoroughly wash your hands afterward.

- Feed cats only commercially prepared cat food.

Source: www.hsus.org/pets

Posted on SHARE Yahoo group - Apr. 22, 2007