Does anyone know? re - toxoplasmosis

[Mogwog]

Does anyone know if you can get toxoplasmosis from coming into contact with Rat feces? From what I've read online it seems that the parasite can only reproduce in a cats gut? I'm asking as hopefully going to be trying for a baby but we've just had a rat infestation and we were in the loft walking through everything but didn't realize until after. I know that rats carry loads of diseases including toxoplasmosis but cant find anything that says its in their poo.

If anyone has any knowledge I would be internally grateful!!

XX

[roxy90]

I dont think so. Even midwives only mention cats in their appointments I'm sure they'd mention other animals too if that was the case.x

[Brunette]

No, rat faeces is not a problem but I'm afraid their urine is as it can carry Weil's disease.

It's extremely rare but it might be an idea to get a specialist to clean out your loft as a precaution.

[Mogwog]

Thanks

We've had some one out but he said the droppings were old, but I don't think that's the case as we were up there a few weeks ago and there was nothing. My husband has bought cleaning stuff to kill anything, he is also going to wear protective clothing. To be honest the person who we had out - who was from the council didn't really seemed to bothered. Don't think there's any fresh urine up there but still taking precautions.

Thanks for replying, you've both been really helpful.xxxxxxxx

[Daisy Sue]

I watched Heartbeat last night & the storyline was about an aborted lamb, & the blood from that got onto a guy's coat & his wife subsequently lost her baby - they put it down to toxoplasmosis. So I don't think it's just cats...

Maybe ring a local vets and ask about toxoplasmosis in rats... lots of people keep rats as pets these days so hopefully they'd know if there was any risk.

[Mogwog]

Hi Daisy sue

Thanks for your reply - I knew about the lamb thing too, still unsure about rats though I've been in touch with a few people about this and no one really seems to know so before we try for a baby I think the sensible thing for me to do is get rid of the rat problem and have a test for the antibodies, its a simple blood test.

Thanks again all - you've been a great help
xx

[dizzydaisy]

Hi, I keep and breed fancy rats and I have never heard anyone contracting toxoplasmosis from rat droppings, you really have nothing to worry about. Yes wild rats do transmit many diseases via droppings and urine including weils disease in their urine. The weils virus soon dies in the air once the urine dries so you have no worries on this either. Good luck with your baby plans:yesyes: