What happens when a pregnant woman comes into contact with a dog?

Many people like to keep some pets. Puppies are lovable and loyal.

Can pregnant women be with dogs?

Small miscarriage

Animals are prone to parasitism by a type of Toxoplasma parasite, which can be transmitted to pregnant women through the bodies and feces of animals. If infected with Toxoplasma parasites during pregnancy, it can be transmitted to the fetus through the embryo. If the infection occurs in early pregnancy, it may cause miscarriage or abnormal development of the fetus.

Causes fetal malformation

When Toxoplasma infection occurs in late pregnancy, it can cause serious damage to the fetal brain and may hinder the fetal brain development, resulting in hydrocephalus or microcephaly.

Damage to the fetus' nerves and eye area

Some fetuses do not have any symptoms in the early stage of Toxoplasma infection, but may develop central nervous system symptoms and periocular damage a few months or years later, which may cause irreversible damage to the children.

Infection with other pathogens

The pathogens on puppies are far more than just Toxoplasma. It is just that the harm to the fetus after pregnant women are infected with Toxoplasma is more obvious. If pregnant women often come into contact with dogs, they may also be infected with other viruses and bacteria, which may also cause serious harm to pregnant women and fetuses.

Can pregnant women be with dogs?

Nowadays, there are many women who like to keep cats and pets. It is said that contact with cats or dogs can cause toxoplasmosis, so when preparing for pregnancy or pregnant, people are very worried about the fetus, fearing that it will cause deformities. Sometimes, you have to make up your mind and shed tears to say goodbye to the pet that has been with you day and night and brought you so much happiness in life. However, many people have already had a "mother-daughter" relationship with their pets, and suddenly let this emotional "child" leave them, feeling very sad.

Should we let our pets go? If you are planning to get pregnant, you should first go for a Toxoplasma antibody test. Toxoplasma can infect the embryo or fetus through the pregnant mother's blood, embryo, uterus, amniotic fluid, vagina, etc., causing many adverse consequences. In the early stage of pregnancy, it often causes miscarriage or stillbirth; in the second stage of pregnancy, it often causes stillbirth, premature birth or serious brain, eye and other diseases; in the late stage of pregnancy, the fetus has grown and developed fully, and 90% of them are latently infected, that is, they show no abnormalities at birth, but may have heart malformations, mental retardation, deafness and microcephaly several months or years after birth.

Toxoplasma can cause so much harm to the fetus that women planning to get pregnant should pay attention to it. However, pregnant women infected with Toxoplasma gondii generally have no symptoms and cannot be identified. Therefore, when planning to get pregnant, you need to go to the hospital for consultation, especially for key targets such as women with a bad maternal history, low immune function, pets at home, women who like to eat undercooked meat or raw vegetables and fruits, who must have a blood test to check whether their anti-Toxoplasma antibodies are positive.

The results of antigen tests during pregnancy determine the future of your pet. If the IgM antibody is positive, it usually means that there has been an infection recently and pregnancy is temporarily not possible. Treatment is required and pregnancy can be considered only after recovery.

If all antigens are negative, it usually means that the human body has not been infected, so you should be more careful before and after pregnancy. If you feel that you cannot maintain a good lifestyle, it is best to temporarily give up your pet during pregnancy for safety reasons. Because there is no relevant antigen in the human body, and people belong to the susceptible population. It is best to have follow-up visits in the early, middle and late stages of pregnancy.