Archive for January, 2010

I am a huge pet lover. I can’t imagine having to give up my dog Abby for the safety of my children. If you can’t imagine sacrificing Fido for the kids, then start preparing now. You can read or watch a very interesting report from CNN on preparing your pets for the arrival of a new baby.

The CNN report provides some good information for cat lovers too. If you’re pregnant and have a cat, you may want to have someone else clean the cat litter. I’m sure you would be heart broken to have to surrender that duty. You may be wondering what cat litter has to do with pregnancy. Not only does it stink, cat feces could actually cause a disease called Toxoplasmosis. Toxo what?? The name may be complicated, but the message is simple: A parasite in cat feces can cause birth defects. This is a common infection, so it’s up to you to take steps to protect your baby. Below is a list of recommendations from the March of Dimes.  

There are simple steps you can take to avoid toxoplasmosis infection:

• Don’t eat raw or undercooked meat, especially lamb or pork. 
• Wash your hands immediately with soap and water after handling raw meat. 
• Clean cutting boards, work surfaces and utensils with hot, soapy water after contact with raw meat or unwashed fruit or vegetables. 
• Peel or thoroughly wash all raw fruits and vegetables before eating. 
• Don’t empty or clean the cat’s litter box. Let someone else do this. 
• Don’t feed the cat raw or undercooked meat. 
• Keep the cat indoors.
• Don’t get a new cat while you’re pregnant.  
• Wear gloves while gardening.
• Avoid children’s sandboxes. Cats may use them as litter boxes.

Sources for this entry:

“Preparing Rover for Junior’s Arrival” (CNN)

 ”Toxoplasmosis” (March of Dimes) 

Wow! As one national week ends, another begins. I guess I missed the memo on that one. In case you missed it too, National Influenza Vaccination Week is January 10- 16, 2010. What does that mean for you? Well, it should be a reminder for you to get your Seasonal Flu shot and the H1N1 vaccination. If you’re pregnant, it is very important for you to get vaccinated.  To find a Flu Clinic near you, visit the Flu Vaccination Locator. All you have to do is type in your zip code and hit go. You will notice that the shots are different colors for a variety of locations. The blue shot indicates that they have the H1N1 Flu vaccine only. The red and blue shot indicates that they have both the Seasonal Flu vaccine and the H1N1 Flu vaccine. The red shot indicates that they have the Seasonal Flu vaccine only. 

For more information, you can also call or visit your local public health.

Jefferson County Pubic Health Service

531 Meade Street, Watertown, NY

(315) 786-3720

Lewis County Public Health

7785 North State Street, Lowville, NY

(315) 376-5453

St. Lawrence County Public Health

80 State Highway 310, Suite #2, Canton, NY

(315) 386-2325