Is this just an old wives' tale?

KatyMac

I was talking to a neighbour about vermin and just said that I had a couple of very efficient cats that kept the rat and mouse population under reasonable control. She told me that she would never have cats around pregnant cows that they would cause abortions. I've been around cattle and cats all my life and never before heard this, So, my question is 'is this an old wives' tale or is there some virus/bug that cats can carry that can infect incalf animals, and have I just been incredibly lucky?

reilig

KatyMac wrote: »

I was talking to a neighbour about vermin and just said that I had a couple of very efficient cats that kept the rat and mouse population under reasonable control. She told me that she would never have cats around pregnant cows that they would cause abortions. I've been around cattle and cats all my life and never before heard this, So, my question is 'is this an old wives' tale or is there some virus/bug that cats can carry that can infect incalf animals, and have I just been incredibly lucky?

Doctors advise pregnant women to avoid cats to reduce the risk of toxoplasmosis. The warning is there for all warm blooded animals including cattle and sheep.

What is Toxoplasmosis?
Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasmosis
gondii. It is a single cell organism, invisible to the human eye. It can
be found in meat, cat faeces, and in soil where cats defecate. It can be
caught from eating raw or undercooked meat, from unpasteurised
goat’s milk or unpasteurised goat’s milk products, from unwashed,
uncooked fruit and vegetables, from dirty cat litter, or from soil
contaminated with cat faeces. It can also be caught when handling a
lambing ewe, the afterbirth, or a newly-born lamb (sheep become
infected when they eat feed or bedding material contaminated by
infected cat faeces).

Wouldn't have a cat around the house because I hate them, but this is a reinforcing reason.

bogman_bass

I thought only sheep got toxoplasmosis.

Every day is a school day!

woodcock89

KatyMac wrote: »

I was talking to a neighbour about vermin and just said that I had a couple of very efficient cats that kept the rat and mouse population under reasonable control. She told me that she would never have cats around pregnant cows that they would cause abortions. I've been around cattle and cats all my life and never before heard this, So, my question is 'is this an old wives' tale or is there some virus/bug that cats can carry that can infect incalf animals, and have I just been incredibly lucky?

A man I no had 20 ewes in lamb last year an all the lambs war born dead so he sent of 1 of the lambs to be tested an it turned out that it was from cats pissing in the hay.

whelan1

when you are pregnant you are advised to to empty cat litter trays etc as you can get toxoplasmosis, consultant just said to me to be careful, btw our cats dont have litter trays

Conmaicne Mara

Bucket of rat poison and a few pieces of piping, no need for cats, feel much the same as Reilig.

ravima

Pregnant humans should stay away from pregnant sheep and cats. Never heard about keeping cows away though.

hedzball

Alot of the farmers I shoot for get me to dispatch any cat seen on site.

hate them more then the foxes and mink.









'hdz

meoklmrk91

If it is in fact to do with toxoplasmosis then I doubt there is much risk, it would be spread through cat faeces what are the chances that a cow is going to near it. Wouldn't worry about having a few cats around the place, one of my cats is a legendary hunter and has brought back rats nearly the size of herself, the other tries as well but isn't as good due to an issue with her legs.

Also I know a farmer who has had cats all down through the years and currently has 6, this hasn't been an issue for him.

evolving_doors

bogman_bass wrote: »

I thought only sheep got toxoplasmosis.

Every day is a school day!

Have a look at the film trainspotting !

Muckit

hedzball wrote: »

Alot of the farmers I shoot for ....
'hdz

I heard on the fodder shortage thread that you were busy too this spring

bb12

hedzball wrote: »

Alot of the farmers I shoot for get me to dispatch any cat seen on site.

hate them more then the foxes and mink.


'hdz

you could actually be increasing the risk by doing this...cats are very territorial and when one is dispatched, inevitably more will move into the area afterwards. best to have one or two around that are not infected and this will keep all other imposters out of that area. we have a sheep farm and a few cats around for years and no problems whatsoever.