For some families, pets are like family members. However, once the hostess is pregnant, she will always worry about whether pets will affect the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus.
Many people will send or even abandon their pets. Is it really necessary? Do you have to send away old friends to welcome new family members?
In fact, as long as we pay due attention during pregnancy, pets such as cats and dogs can get along safely and peacefully with pregnant women without threatening the safety of expectant mothers and fetuses.
In addition to paying more attention to the cleaning of pets during pregnancy, they are often bathed and dewormed. There are also some places that need special attention for different pets.
Pregnant women with dogs should pay attention to what?
- Give the dog a vaccine in advance. Don’t let the dog on you, Especially on the belly. If the dog has had the habit of jumping on you before, It is best to train the dog to get rid of this habit before pregnancy. If the dog has the habit of tearing and biting, especially if he likes to bite your trousers and skirts, he should also get rid of it before pregnancy. In the first and third trimester of pregnancy, the expectant mother may not be able to afford to walk the dog (especially the large dog), and the rest of the family can do it for her.
If the dog is used to being close to you, cultivate his feelings with other family members before getting pregnant. When you don’t have the strength to play with him, let other family members take care of him, so that the dog won’t feel left out.
If you really don’t have the energy to take care of a lively dog during pregnancy, you can also temporarily foster the dog to your relatives and friends.
Pregnant women with cats need to pay attention to what?
Pregnant women should be careful not to be infected with Toxoplasma gondii when taking care of cats.
Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite, which may lead to abortion, premature delivery and fetal malformation. It usually appears in cat feces. The infection rate of Toxoplasma gondii varies greatly in different regions, and the general report in China is below 10%.
If there are cats at home, pregnant women may come into contact with Toxoplasma gondii when handling cat feces and toys. In addition, contact with soil and eating undercooked meat may also be infected with Toxoplasma gondii.
If you want to keep a cat and don’t want to affect the safety of your baby in your belly, pregnant women should pay attention to the following points:
- Vaccinate cats in advance. Ask family members to help with litter and clean cat nests. Don’t let your cats contact wild cats. The best way is to keep the cat indoors. Don’t go out. Whoever disposes of the cat’s excrement and cleans the cat’s nest should wash their hands with soap or hand sanitizer. After playing with the cat, remember to pack up the cat’s toys, put them in a special place, and then wash their hands. Keep the litter away from the living room, dining room and bedroom. Don’t feed the pet cat raw meat.
In addition, it is suggested that women who own cats should have a serological examination of Toxoplasma gondii infection before pregnancy. This examination cannot specify the time of infection. If the examination is carried out again after pregnancy, it may bring difficulties to doctors’ treatment.
Can I still raise hamsters and guinea pigs when I am pregnant?
Now many people also raise hamsters, mice, guinea pigs, etc.
If you are pregnant or preparing for pregnancy, these animals can be kept, but be careful. They may carry a pathogen called lymphocytic choroid plexus meningitis virus (LCMV), which may cause fetal malformation and increase the risk of miscarriage and premature delivery.
The following pathways may lead to LCMV infection:
- Bite by animals infected with the virus; Contact with blood, urine and other body fluids of infected animals; When cleaning pet excrement and cages, inhaling dust may also cause infection.
If you have such pets at home, pay attention to:
- The hamsters and guinea pigs are tightly enclosed in cages, In particular, don’t let them come into contact with wild mice. Many wild mice are infected with LCMV. If pet rats come into contact with them, they may also be infected with LCMV. After coming into contact with hamsters, be sure to wash your hands with soap. Ask your family to help clean the cage of pet rats. Be careful to clean outdoors or in a well-ventilated place and do not bring dust into the room. Don’t kiss your pet at will, and don’t let your pet kiss or lick your face.
In addition to pregnant women, if children keep such pets, everyone should also pay attention:
- Tell children that they can only play with pets in front of adults. Don’t let children get too close to pets. After playing with pets, they must wash their hands with soap.
Once you suspect that you are infected with LCMV, you must seek medical treatment in time. The following symptoms indicate that you may be infected with LCMV:
- Fever, headache, fatigue, muscle soreness, neck rigidity, nausea, vomiting, poor appetite
Can pregnant women still raise reptiles or worms?
If you want to be pregnant or are already pregnant, it is best not to raise lizards, snakes and other reptiles and those strange exotic species.
If these animals are not strictly quarantined, they may have unknown bacteria or parasites, which may threaten the health of pregnant women and young children.
Editor: Zhang Jingyuan
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