27 replies to this topic

[BiffSplitkins]

Quote

A small subset of suicide attempts may be linked to an infection that starts in the litter box.  A new study suggests an association between Toxoplasma gondii and suicide attempts among women.
Interesting finding, to be sure, but how does one even begin to test a theory like this? Why in the world would anyone posit that kitty litter could be related to suicide attempts?
As it turns out, about one-third of the population is walking around right now with latent toxoplasma infection.  Most people will never know they have it - and most will not attempt suicide as a result of it. But the presence of T. gondii among women who attempted suicide raises interesting questions.

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I knew they would eventually find a way to kill us all off.

[Beckys_Mom]

Goodness  that does sound serious..

I looked it up  and found more on toxoplasmosis  ..->  http://www.medicinen...sis/article.htm

I had never heard of that before..  I have two cats but its been a long time since they used a litter tray.. they usually are outside

Edited by Beckys_Mom, 03 July 2012 - 06:02 PM.

[questionmark]

quite so, you should avoid eating it, especially when used

[ouija ouija]

BiffSplitkins, on 03 July 2012 - 05:48 PM, said:

I knew they would eventually find a way to kill us all off.

WRONG!!!!! Kittehs do NOT want to get rid of us because we are their slaves !

[QuiteContrary]

Yes, I heard of it (not that it causes suicide in women but that it can harm your unborn baby) 25 years ago and so asked my husband to clean the box during my first pregnancy. And this is why our cats have gone outside since then. lol

Edited by QuiteContrary, 03 July 2012 - 08:08 PM.

[questionmark]

QuiteContrary, on 03 July 2012 - 08:07 PM, said:

Yes, I heard of it (not that it causes suicide in women but that it can harm your unborn baby) 25 years ago and so asked my husband to clean the box during my first pregnancy. And this is why our cats have gone outside since then. lol

Toxoplasma is indeed a health risk, but given that this study was done among so called "cat ladies", not generally renown for their mental stability, the conclusion is a little adventurous.

[QuiteContrary]

questionmark, on 03 July 2012 - 08:26 PM, said:

Toxoplasma is indeed a health risk, but given that this study was done among so called "cat ladies", not generally renown for their mental stability, the conclusion is a little adventurous.

my bolding, QC

I resent that remark! I'm a cat lady and perfectly abnormal!

[questionmark]

QuiteContrary, on 03 July 2012 - 08:32 PM, said:

my bolding, QC

I resent that remark! I'm a cat lady and perfectly abnormal!

Well, the exception always confirms the rule

Edit,I got a few cats too and mostly because somebody dropped them off at the AWK clinic because they were "sick" and wanted them to be put down. As I refuse to put anything down just because it is physically challenged but otherwise pretty healthy I take them home.

Edited by questionmark, 03 July 2012 - 08:41 PM.

[Coffey]

More scare mongering.

Everything is bad for us. In the last few years Scientists and proffesionals have pretty much went through everything we eat or drink and said they all cause cancer. (obviosuly not everything, over exaggerating but you get the point)


I do know it is bad for pregnant woman, my hosuemate told me about that years ago.

Edited by Coffey, 03 July 2012 - 09:46 PM.

[Beckys_Mom]

QuiteContrary, on 03 July 2012 - 08:07 PM, said:

Yes, I heard of it (not that it causes suicide in women but that it can harm your unborn baby) 25 years ago and so asked my husband to clean the box during my first pregnancy. And this is why our cats have gone outside since then. lol

That is true,  I read up on it and it says it is dangerous to pregnant women.. if infected  can cause  miscarriage  and still birth ..!!  

Amazing the things you didnt know about until someone mentions it ..I never heard of this before Biff posted the thread and I have two cats.. I sat thinking ..when I was pregnant  how long before that did we make the cats stay outside?  I know they were both made go outside and they spend their time outside more often...but it had me wondering how careful was I ?   Thankfully  I got to give birth  2 months ago and my son was never infected..nor was I ..I have been tested for everything going  lol..

Coffey, on 03 July 2012 - 09:46 PM, said:

I do know it is bad for pregnant woman, my hosuemate told me about that years ago.

I read up on the NHS website  .. turns out it really is dangerous to pregnant women..can  cause still born  and miscarriage...depending on when the mother gets infected ....

Edited by Beckys_Mom, 04 July 2012 - 01:04 PM.

[Princess Serenity]

Coffey, on 03 July 2012 - 09:46 PM, said:

More scare mongering.

Everything is bad for us. In the last few years Scientists and proffesionals have pretty much went through everything we eat or drink and said they all cause cancer. (obviosuly not everything, over exaggerating but you get the point)


I do know it is bad for pregnant woman, my hosuemate told me about that years ago.

I agree. When I was working with my stepmom at the family business, one of the co-workers said something about steak and wearing hiphuggers causing "cancer." I'm annoyed at everything causes cancer. What the heck is wrong with scientists nowadays?

We don't have a litter box for our cat since she's an outdoor kitty. But when we did (that was a short time and she had the cone of shame due to an wound or whatever) it never hurt us. |:

[Coffey]

Beckys_Mom, on 04 July 2012 - 01:02 PM, said:

I read up on the NHS website  .. turns out it really is dangerous to pregnant women..can  cause still born  and miscarriage...depending on when the mother gets infected ....

Yeah it's worrying, I think they are trying to kill us though. Look at the thread about the guy contracting the bubonic plague from his cat and now this?! LOL I'm so keeping an eye on my 2 cats.. lol

Princess Serenity, on 04 July 2012 - 02:06 PM, said:

I agree. When I was working with my stepmom at the family business, one of the co-workers said something about steak and wearing hiphuggers causing "cancer." I'm annoyed at everything causes cancer. What the heck is wrong with scientists nowadays?

We don't have a litter box for our cat since she's an outdoor kitty. But when we did (that was a short time and she had the cone of shame due to an wound or whatever) it never hurt us. |:

Steak I can understand in the sense red meat isn't healthy for humans. But it wouldn't be any worse than any other red meat. Wearing hiphuggers though? LOL That's just silly.

[questionmark]

Coffey, on 04 July 2012 - 03:25 PM, said:

Yeah it's worrying, I think they are trying to kill us though. Look at the thread about the guy contracting the bubonic plague from his cat and now this?! LOL I'm so keeping an eye on my 2 cats.. lol



Steak I can understand in the sense red meat isn't healthy for humans. But it wouldn't be any worse than any other red meat. Wearing hiphuggers though? LOL That's just silly.

The bubonic plague thing is more the exception than the rule. But cats can get it as well as humans can. In this case it seems more though that the cat had just had a nice juicy rodent carrier of the plague as the bacteria can only be transmitted in direct blood contact, which in this case must have been in the cat's saliva where as a rule it cannot survive for long. (But krappy happens).

[Coffey]

questionmark, on 04 July 2012 - 05:25 PM, said:

The bubonic plague thing is more the exception than the rule. But cats can get it as well as humans can. In this case it seems more though that the cat had just had a nice juicy rodent carrier of the plague as the bacteria can only be transmitted in direct blood contact, which in this case must have been in the cat's saliva where as a rule it cannot survive for long. (But krappy happens).

Ah yes but the Cat knew what it was doing! lol

[Beckys_Mom]

Coffey, on 04 July 2012 - 03:25 PM, said:

Yeah it's worrying, I think they are trying to kill us though. Look at the thread about the guy contracting the bubonic plague from his cat and now this?! LOL I'm so keeping an eye on my 2 cats.. lol

Ever since I read it.. I have been watching my two cats...they spend a lot of time outside..Goodness knows what they can pick up and carry in....