FINCHforum

I was not sure which forum this would fit in, so please move if needed mods.

Has anyone here ever kept their finches / birds while pregnant or with young children? My husband and I are thinking of starting a family in the next couple of years and my mother told me yesterday that birds can carry toxoplasmosis (like cats) and that I would need to wear gloves and a mask while cleaning their cage or feeding... I already use gloves while cleaning out my reptiles and rodents, so this was not new to me, but wearing a mask and concerns about air-borne issues was.

I am already aware of the precautions I need to take with my other pets, but was curious how some of you handled this... Did you wear a mask, use gloves, use a HEPA filter near the cage or any other precautions? Did any of your relatives give you grief about keeping birds while pregnant? I am sure my mother is over-reacting, but just wanted to find out what others experienced... I am enjoying my birds so much and want to be able to give her accurate information as well as take any precautions I need to take.. If it makes a difference, I currently have canaries and a pair of budgies and treat for mites and worms during quarantine.

Thank you for your time / help!

artgecko

I honestly don't know if birds can pass on anything to you or your future baby(s).

I do however know, that I kept birds forever, since I was a kid, during pregnancy, while raising two babies, and we never had any problems. No gloves, no masks, no special filters, no issues whatsover

I suppose you could check with your family doctor, or with your ob/gyn, if you or mom are still concerned about it.

BTW, I also had 3 cats at the time, without any issues, but that's another forum, lol.

Pet birds do not carry Taxoplasmosis.

People have been panicking about exposing unborn children to pets since people have kept pets. I think a lot of it is overreaction. Just keep things clean, wash your hands after handling them or their environment, and you should be good to go.

Thanks guys!
I thought she was overreacting. I also own a cat and was aware that I'd need to get my husband to do his litter box and I also keep reptiles and know all about washing hands, etc. I was just not sure if there was anything to catching something from dust / air-borne residue from their droppings.

I will check with my family doctor just in case, but everything that I've read says that most risk was from wild birds or larger birds (like parrots) that are infected with rarer disease that are transferable.

artgecko

Good luck with your growing family

Lovezebs- Thanks!

artgecko

Do keep us updated.