Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I heard that pregnant women should not clean cat boxes. I was wondering is bearded dragons bad too?

I am 6 weeks now. My soon to be room mate came at me and start saying I should sell all my beardies.
I think it is because she doesn't want to care for them. I told her that she WON'T care for any of my animals!!!

But I try searching for info and can't find anything.

I'm going to be a single mother for a while, Daddy is going overseas because he is in the military. But he will be back in a year.

Please help, I WILL NOT GET RID OF ANY OF MY PETS! They are stress relievers for me and I love them as my children.

I think the risk is overrated. I read the risk is to newborns not pregnant mothers, so no dragons in the crib. I got a real bad bite from a very large Iguana a couple weeks ago. My human vet prescribed antibiotics which I bought but never took. Somehow I survived.

I'm worried about my baby dragons being around humans.

If you are worried you should talk to your vet. Im sure he will say just make sure you wash your hands well after handling them. Your doctor would be your best bet for more information.

Hope your guy comes back safe to see his kid too!

I've been a vet tech for 16 yrs and I think as long as you wash your hands or better yet where a pair of gloves when cleaning up dragon poo it shouldn't be a problem. I know alot of human docs that have told co-workers in the past to get rid of cats, snakes and etc. They didn't and were fine. They were just very cautious in cleaning up.

Congrats on the baby!!!!

there is nothing I have ever heard about any reptile being harmful to a pregnant mother, her fetus or even the baby itself.

Salmonella would be the only concern but standard washing of hands after handling dragons, cleaning their cage and items, as usual will prevent that. Making sure you don't wash baby bottles and dragon dishes in the sink or dish washer, will prevent any contact with salmonella as well.

The main thing with cat litter boxes is the ammonia produced by cat urine...

So you don't have to worry about getting rid of your dragons.

You may have to talk to your roommate though, as there will e a time you may need her to care for your animals..while you are in the hospital giving birth, and a few days afterwards...while you recover.
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PHLdyPayne

The reason why your not suppose to clean or even be around cats is because they are reservoirs for Toxoplasma gondii. Cats feces can carry the oocysts and can be very dangerous to a fetus.

www.dpd.cdc.gov/dpdx/HTML/Toxoplasmosis.htm
The Salmonella issue has already been answered by LdyPayne and others.

Randy

>>
>>I am 6 weeks now. My soon to be room mate came at me and start saying I should sell all my beardies.
>>I think it is because she doesn't want to care for them. I told her that she WON'T care for any of my animals!!!
>>
>>But I try searching for info and can't find anything.
>>
>>I'm going to be a single mother for a while, Daddy is going overseas because he is in the military. But he will be back in a year.
>>
>>Please help, I WILL NOT GET RID OF ANY OF MY PETS! They are stress relievers for me and I love them as my children.

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www.AlphaDragonZ.com

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Thank you everyone for posting. I figure being extra clean wouldn't hurt. I told my room mate what I found out and what people have said.

She still insist on me getting rid of the beardies.

I'm not going to listen to her, but now I'm kinda afraid she might harm my beardies.

Why do I think this? Because I told her would she get rid of her dog if she was pregnant? I figure because she loves her dog so much and cares for him. But she replies back YES I would. I get rid of everything for my child.

I'm going to just keep another eye on my beardies. THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

Thats crazy I guess people don't realize when they get a pet how long they are committed for. They just buy what they want and then when they are bored of it think they can just get rid of it. Its sad.

To be honest, if I felt my roommate was likely to get rid of anything that is mine...I probably get rid of her. I find many people are far too excessive and extreme when it comes to babies.

You can have a healthy baby with no risks etc, and still have pets. Sure you have to take a few extra precautions. Washing hands, keeping crickets, supplements etc out of reach of children, make sure cords, hot lamps etc. are out of reach of children etc. but you don't need to keep the baby in a clean room.

Humans have been having babies in far far worse conditions than the average home has now in North America without complications. In fact I think more problems can affect children have nothing to do with the mother's health or what she feeds or what pets she has, but more with pollutants in the water, soil, and air around our home and school.
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PHLdyPayne

Hmmm I dont know... I took care of my reptiles while i was pregnant and my kids turned out kinda goofy? LOL

Just be safe and keep clean and wash your hands allot like usual and you will be fine..

Heidi