Can you raise a dog when you are pregnant?

Many families with dogs will get into a big discussion after the hostess becomes pregnant with the baby, whether or not the dog should be given away. Many elderly people may worry that dogs will affect the fetus and cause the baby to be unhealthy in the future. But for the hostess, the dog is also a part of the family, and she is very reluctant to let go of it. In fact, as long as we deal with it scientifically and respond appropriately, the risks caused by dogs can be completely avoided.

Problems that dogs may bring to pregnant women and babies

Infectious diseases

The biggest threat that dogs may bring is infectious diseases. Zoonoses are Diseases naturally infected and transmitted between humans and vertebrates. The pathogens include viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. The most commonly heard of them are toxoplasmosis and rabies.
Most people infected with Toxoplasma gondii have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. Only a few people with primary infection (primary infection) have symptoms such as fever, swollen lymph nodes, headache, muscle and joint pain, and abdominal pain. Symptoms usually disappear after a few days or weeks as the body develops immunity, and it usually resolves on its own. However, if you are infected with Toxoplasma gondii within the first three months of pregnancy, it may directly lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, or multiple fetal malformations; if you are infected with the virus in the second trimester of pregnancy, it may lead to stillbirth, premature birth, or severe brain, eye and other diseases of the fetus. .
Rabies is an acute viral infectious disease that attacks the central nervous system caused by rabies virus. I believe everyone already knows about it. Fortunately, although rabies is terrible, with the widespread use of rabies vaccines and standardized pet management, the incidence of rabies in most cities has dropped to a very low value year by year.

Allergies

In addition to infectious diseases, dogs are more likely to cause allergic problems. Allergies to dogs mainly manifest as allergic rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis, allergic asthma and atopic eczema. The main culprit of allergy symptoms is pet dander, which is contaminated with allergens secreted by animals and can cause allergic reactions when humans come into contact. In addition, the hair that many dogs shed in spring and summer is also stained with allergens, thereby increasing the owner's risk of allergies. Most people have mild allergic symptoms that subside quickly on their own. There is currently no medical evidence showing that keeping pets will directly affect the fetus. What you need to worry about is whether it will cause allergic reactions in pregnant mothers. For example, expectant mothers with asthma may have an asthma attack during pregnancy, which is harmful to their health.

Correctly understand toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasma gondii is an intracellular parasitic protozoa, and the only confirmed final host is cats. The main route of infection of Toxoplasma gondii is food contaminated by feline and canine body fluids or feces. Toxoplasma infection is ultimately through food ingestion and blood infection. For humans, the following three pathways are proven and more likely:

1. Eat raw or undercooked meat, especiallyPork, mutton and venison, and eating raw beef are also considered to be the most important ways for urban residents to become infected with Toxoplasma gondii.

2. Putting raw meat or raw offal in your mouth without cleaning your hands after transporting or touching it.

3. Contact with cat feces or objects in contact with cat feces.

4. Live with worm-carrying dogs and cats.

Judging from the above confirmed transmission routes of Toxoplasma gondii, human infection with Toxoplasmosis is mainly through the mouth. This can be avoided by paying attention to food hygiene. During the pregnancy preparation period, you should do a good job of taking care of your dog against insects and deworming, and avoid direct contact with their feces. Then you can live safely with your dog during pregnancy.

Scientific dog-raising strategy during pregnancy

Pre-pregnancy physical examination

The best way to avoid Toxoplasma infection is pre-pregnancy physical examination. There is a TORCH test in the pre-pregnancy physical examination, which is for Toxoplasma gondii disease, syphilis, rubella and other diseases. Through the early TORCH test, you can clearly understand your resistance to several diseases. In addition to having one before pregnancy, you also need to have a check-up in three months of pregnancy to ensure the health of the pregnant woman and the fetus.
Allergy tests can also be done in hospitals. Children and adults who have been exposed to cats for a long time often develop antibodies to allergens, which can lead to the body's tolerance to the allergens without allergic reactions. Women who want to be mothers can do skin tests or antibody tests for cat and dog allergens, and based on the results decide whether they should reduce contact with cats and dogs and avoid allergens. At the same time, take the dog to the pet hospital for a Toxoplasma test. If the test shows that he has not been infected, the dog can then be vaccinated against Toxoplasma gondii.
In life, pregnant women should pay attention to their own hygiene, be "close and intimate" with pets, and keep a certain distance from their pets to avoid being hurt when they are intimate with them. Do not touch pets frequently, wash your hands promptly after touching pets, try to avoid feeding pets, and do not touch pet feces.

Ensure pet hygiene and health

1. Bath your pet frequently and pay attention to cleaning its toenails, eyes and ears.

2. Regularly inject pets with vaccinations and vaccinations to expel parasites inside and outside the body and eliminate worries.

3. Feed nutritious pet food to enhance the animal's resistance. Never feed uncooked fish, shrimp or offal to pets, and do not let animals run around and hunt to avoid eating unhealthy food. Hygienic food.

4. Do a good job in keeping pet dens and tableware hygienic. Regularly use disinfectant or steam disinfection in pet activity areas, clean up pet feces in a timely manner, and maintain a hygienic environment at home.

5. Eliminate fleas, lice, ticks, mosquitoes and other pests that may spread diseases.

6. Give pets regular physical examinations. Observe your pets more often. If you find any abnormalities, see a doctor promptly.