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A member asked:
Can you get toxoplasmosis from cleaning out cat litter trays and can it cause you to have mental health problems, as some reports are claiming?
5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Yes you can: Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted via cat feces, and from undercooked, exposed meat. The parasite can be carried as a cyst within the brain. It can induce the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase necessary to make the neurotransmitter dopamine. Elevations in Dopamine may be associated with psychotic symptoms -- but toxoplasmosis is not the source of all psychosis. http://tinyurl.com/cftsn7.
Answered 9/3/2015
4.2k views
Clarification: Just wanted to add to my previous response. In patients with an impaired immune system, such as in aids, toxoplasmosis can stay in the brain. In this case, the patient may exhibit behavior disorders or mental health-related symptoms.
Answered 9/3/2015
4.2k views
Related Questions
A member asked:
Can inhaling the dust of cat litter cause toxoplasmosis?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Cleaning up after a cat without actually touching faeces cause toxoplasmosis? Can that itself cause mental health issues?
A doctor has provided 1 answer
A member asked:
Cat does not have toxoplasmosis - can the powder from the litter i smell when i kiss him be harmful to baby (pregnant)?
4 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
People also searched for:
Does inhaling the odor of cat litter, especially while cleaning the litterbox have any adverse effects on health over time? since toxoplasmosis gondii can be present in cat feces what would happen if you inhale the odor of feces everyday?
Have 4 dogs, 3 strictly indoor cats. Wanna get pregnant but worried dogs bringing in dirt/tracking in from outside will give cats Toxoplasmosis and hurt baby when I clean litter. Need I be worried?
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I clean my cats litter twice a day, and change it out every two weeks, I wash my hands right after. Her covered litter box is in my bedroom though, should I be worried about Toxoplasmosis or Cryptosporidiosis?
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