Does having a dog in the house harm my baby if I'm pregnant? What about when the baby is born, any risk then?
Feb 9, 2013
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For the most part, there's no reason your dog can't be part of the family when you're pregnant. But take these steps to help keep yourself safe during pregnancy:
• Don’t let your dog jump up on your belly.
• you might have it examined for parasites at regular intervals (especially if it is allowed to run loose). Animal parasites have been known to infect humans. Although the effect of a parasitic infection on a fetus is unknown, the illness experienced by the mother cannot be good for the baby
• If your dog has bad habits, like biting or jumping, train him to stop doing these things before you have your baby.
• Make sure your dog is up-to-date with vaccinations, especially the rabies vaccine. Do this before your baby is born.
• If you and your dog are especially close, ask your partner or a family member to spend more time with him. Because your baby will take much of your time and attention, having your dog develop relationships with others can help prepare him for changes to come once your baby is home.
• As dogs may carry bacteria, mainly:
o Campylobacter, found in the intestinal tract of animals, in untreated water, unpasteurized milk and raw milk products, raw or undercooked meat and poultry, and raw shellfish. Infection causes fever, stomach cramps, muscle pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The bacteria themselves cannot cross the placenta and so cannot do not directly harm your baby, but if you do catch the infection, dehydration resulting from the symptoms can cause miscarriage or preterm labor.
o Salmonella, spread through direct or indirect contact with the feces of animals and humans. Certain foods are associated with salmonella poisoning, like unpasteurized milk and raw milk products, raw or undercooked meat, raw or undercooked eggs, raw sprouts, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and cream desserts and fillings. Infection causes headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, chills, fever, and vomiting. The dehydration caused by these symptoms can result in miscarriage or preterm labor.
It is advisable that you delegate cleaning after your dog (dumping the litter box) and bathing the dog to another person, and making sure that the person in charge of this tasks disinfects their hands/clothes after finishing, and wear disposable gloves while caring for the dog.
• Don’t let your dog jump up on your belly.
• you might have it examined for parasites at regular intervals (especially if it is allowed to run loose). Animal parasites have been known to infect humans. Although the effect of a parasitic infection on a fetus is unknown, the illness experienced by the mother cannot be good for the baby
• If your dog has bad habits, like biting or jumping, train him to stop doing these things before you have your baby.
• Make sure your dog is up-to-date with vaccinations, especially the rabies vaccine. Do this before your baby is born.
• If you and your dog are especially close, ask your partner or a family member to spend more time with him. Because your baby will take much of your time and attention, having your dog develop relationships with others can help prepare him for changes to come once your baby is home.
• As dogs may carry bacteria, mainly:
o Campylobacter, found in the intestinal tract of animals, in untreated water, unpasteurized milk and raw milk products, raw or undercooked meat and poultry, and raw shellfish. Infection causes fever, stomach cramps, muscle pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. The bacteria themselves cannot cross the placenta and so cannot do not directly harm your baby, but if you do catch the infection, dehydration resulting from the symptoms can cause miscarriage or preterm labor.
o Salmonella, spread through direct or indirect contact with the feces of animals and humans. Certain foods are associated with salmonella poisoning, like unpasteurized milk and raw milk products, raw or undercooked meat, raw or undercooked eggs, raw sprouts, unwashed fruits and vegetables, and cream desserts and fillings. Infection causes headache, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, chills, fever, and vomiting. The dehydration caused by these symptoms can result in miscarriage or preterm labor.
It is advisable that you delegate cleaning after your dog (dumping the litter box) and bathing the dog to another person, and making sure that the person in charge of this tasks disinfects their hands/clothes after finishing, and wear disposable gloves while caring for the dog.
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