by Lalinda De La Fuente

Ok, maybe cat poop is not the only thing killing sea otters but it’s definitely one of the things, believe it or not. I ran across some interesting information put together by a University of California Davis research team about sea otters concerning toxic cat poop and sea otter mortality. So here’s the skinny and some important tips according to the team from UC Davis.

The Disease
Toxoplasma, short for Toxoplasma gondii, is a very tiny parasite that resides in the bodies of animals and people. Toxoplasma is a tricky infection though. Many people that have Toxoplasma may never display any symptoms of the illness, which can include a two week bout with fever, head and muscle aches, sore throat, a swollen neck and difficulty seeing. Furthermore, cats, which seem to be a primary carrier for the disease, never show any symptoms but are the ones that spread it.

How do cats catch it?
The UC Davis Web site states that many animals, including birds and other small animals, have Toxoplasma. It’s only cats though that shed Toxoplasma “eggs” in their feces. Cats, both feral and house, often pick this up when they hunt and eat small wild animals such as birds and rodents. The Toxoplasma “eggs” typically live in water and soil and are spread by earthworms, flies and beetles. These parasites will them spread throughout the body to areas such as the lungs, eyes, and even brain, remaining in the system for a long period of time.

So how does this affect sea otters?
Researchers know that Toxoplasma “eggs” are somehow making their way into the ocean and sea otters are becoming infected. And although they do not know exactly how this is occurring, they do know that the reduction of cat poop in the environment would help significantly.

I own a cat. What can I do?
Keeping your indoor a cat as just that will prevent them from hunting and eating small wild animals that could be infected. Being careful and mindful of what you feed them is also a great way to prevent illness of any sort in your pet.

Never flush cat poop. Never throw it in a river, stream or canal. Your best bet is to dispose of cat waste in the garbage along with your old litter. Cleaning your cat box daily will also help prevent infection. Cleanliness when it comes to cat waste is key.

Can I get Toxoplamsa and what can I do to prevent it?
Yes you can get Toxoplasma. If you’re immune system is compromised due to another illness, you are definitely more susceptible to this illness. Because your body may not be able to ward it off, the chance of the parasites infecting your brain is greater.

And you know how they tell pregnant women to avoid such tasks as taking out the garbage, doing the dishes or cleaning the litter box? Toxoplasma is the reason. Infection of an unborn child can cause birth defects or brain damage. This is a great excuse for mothers-to-be to make their husbands do a few chores!

Do not despair though. Keeping your feline inside and keeping clean should do the job. Remember to wash your hands with warm, soapy water after you clean the litter box or consider wearing gloves.

Here are a few other ways to help prevent Toxoplasma:
• Avoid drinking water from rivers or stream
• Use hot, soapy water to clean cutting boards and knifes after preparing meat
• Wash all produce well before using (make sure all dirt is off)
• Wash your hands well after gardening. Make sure to get dirt out from under nails.