June Buggie is Talking Parasites!
MEOW! My name is June Buggie and I have something to say.
I want to say for the record that cats are NOT causing people to commit suicide!
WHAT!!! you say?
So there’s this new research out there about the parasite known as Toxoplasma gondii. It’s a parasite that loves cats. Actually, cat feces is one way humans can become infected with this parasite. In fact, it’s the reason why pregnant women are advised to NOT clean the litter box or handle cat feces. And you guys thought women were pulling your leg!
What are some of the findings about T. gondii?
- A study published this week found that women infected with T. gondii were 1.5 times more likely to commit suicide than uninfected women.
- Women who are infected are more warm, out-going, image-conscious, and rule-abiding. Infected men, on the other hand, are more introverted, suspicious, oblivious to other people’s opinions of them, and inclined to disregard rules. This is believed to be due to heightened anxiety. Women who are anxious tend to be more nurturing while men who are more anxious become more isolated.
- Infected people are more likely to become involved in traffic accidents.
- Rats infected with T. gondii are less fearful of cats. This is because the parasite must be ingested by a cat to procreate.
- There is a link betwen T. gondii and schizophrenia. Not all those with schizophrenia are infected with the parasite, but it’s believed that as many as 75% of schizophrenia patients are associated with infectious agents, including T. gondii.
- There’s also believed to be a link in T. gondii infection and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Now before you go freaking out, you need to know that indoor cats don’t typically carry the virus; outdoor cats can become infected by eating infected rodents. But even if infected, your cat sheds parasites only three weeks of his or her life.
It’s estimated that one out of every three people is infected with T. gondii. So if you are infected, you’re in good company. While cat feces is one mode of infection, you’re more likely to become infected by eating unwashed veggies, under-cooked meat, or by drinking contaminated water.
You can reduce your risk of contamination by thoroughly cooking meat, washing fruits and vegetables, and by keeping food surfaces clean. Also, be sure to wash your hands after handling raw meat or scooping the litterbox. Even better, wear gloves.
So know the facts and take care of yourself if you are infected. And if you’re not infected, stay that way.
MEOW!
Links:
Australia Herald Sun: Cat feces parasite linked to female suicide
Time Magazine: Crazy Cat Love: Caused By Parasitic Infection?
Are ‘Cat Ladies’ More Likely to Attempt Suicide?
The Atlantic Magaine: How Your Cat is Making You Crazy
July 5, 2012 at 1:23 AM
Ug and yuk…. I’m probably infected then June Buggie… ! Meow…
July 5, 2012 at 1:26 AM
June Buggie, you are so smart. You know your facts.
July 5, 2012 at 1:31 AM
June Buggie (appropriate name given the post)… joking. I had read an article about this & dismissd it as paid science justifying twaddle. Give someone the means and they’ll make the end to suit their own purposes. Your last lines say it all but I’d advise a grain of salt also.
July 5, 2012 at 2:35 AM
If you read the article in the Atlantic, you may think otherwise.
July 5, 2012 at 2:00 AM
Ick! Not a fun topic, but necessary!
July 5, 2012 at 2:12 AM
My mom is glad that I´m mostly an indoor cat
Thank´s for the visit on my blog and the comment so I could find my way to you
July 5, 2012 at 2:18 AM
Thank you for the information. A lot of these studies are correlation studies, not causative so people need to be very careful not to make causal relationship between cats and other incidents such as suicide.
I’ll be back,
Sankissjuice
July 5, 2012 at 3:00 AM
I read this the other day and decided that as my blood is already full of parasites Mr T. Gondii will have to take a number and get in line!
Thanks for putting it in perspective June Buggie xx
July 5, 2012 at 4:19 AM
Weee’s don’t have it
Humom’s rather mad, so I guess she has it. Weee’s gotta make sure we wash our paws after we’ve touched her! 
Big Huggies Mollie and Furball x
July 5, 2012 at 4:23 AM
PEEE-ES: June Buggie is really cute x
mollie and alfie
July 5, 2012 at 4:44 AM
Scary, but good to know June Buggie.
Thanks and yikes,
Cupcake
July 5, 2012 at 6:10 AM
You go June Buggie! Thanks.
July 5, 2012 at 7:01 AM
Yikes! Thanks for the scoop June Buggie…….people need to know this stuff that’s for sure!
Kitty hugs, Sammy
July 5, 2012 at 7:35 AM
Great info, but I’m glad I haven’t eaten yet! LOL!
July 5, 2012 at 8:49 AM
Very interesting topic. So what are the symptoms of being infected, besides being suicidal or introverted?
July 5, 2012 at 8:52 AM
Great post, I learned a lot.
I’ve been bugged, however, by all the sensational headlines about this. Even NPR, which is often less sensational than cable news sites, led with the cat and suicide link before admitting half way down the page that most people catch this illness from handling raw food. Very few people catch it from cats.
Thanks for the information. June Buggie, you’re a better journalist than many of the pros.
July 5, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Thanks for the total yuck-O article June Buggie! Ha! It was actually very interesting and I am so glad you shared it with us. Is there any way to get rid of the parasite once ‘one in three’ of us catches it? Those are scary stats! I also wonder if dogs can catch it?? Have you ever busted Rumpy sniffing around your litter box… if you know what I mean.
July 5, 2012 at 10:38 AM
salutations de Brest !!!! parasites ? j’aime pas ça moua !
traduction for you: ” Greetings from Brest! parasites? I don’t like it I !”
July 5, 2012 at 12:04 PM
Hi June Buggie!!!! *paw waves* Thanks for todays post that is very interesting!
I didn’t know that cats carry those parasite “T gondii” at all. I have to let my mom be careful, she is not pregrant woman though.
The difference between infected women and men is interesting.
Also the face that Schizophrenia is related to parasites surprised me. We have to be much more careful to wash hands veggies and eat well cooked meat from now on.
July 5, 2012 at 3:55 PM
The finalists for the 2012 Petties have been announced! Congratulations on your blog rumpydog on being a finalist in the Best Cause Blog Category for the 2012 Petties.
Voting is now open! Please email me at christina@dogtime.com so I can provide you a Petties finalist badge to place on your site.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Congrats!
Christina
July 5, 2012 at 4:58 PM
The media just love dramatic headlines! They’re not justified by those tiny statistical increases in probability.
July 5, 2012 at 5:15 PM
They used to blame all this on syphilis, of course transmitted by women, now they blame it on cats, but women are still involved. I read the studies, but I hate the headlines.
July 5, 2012 at 5:36 PM
I hear ya! So do I.
July 5, 2012 at 6:33 PM
Great information June Buggie!
July 5, 2012 at 6:52 PM
Meow! Thanks!
July 5, 2012 at 10:11 PM
Great set of facts. Fascinating that the virus makes rats less afraid of cats so cats can catch and eat them.
July 6, 2012 at 7:00 AM
I did hear about this June Buggie. It’s unbelievable that 1 in 3 people are thought to be infected.
July 6, 2012 at 10:38 AM
Very interesting post sweet June Buggie. Hugs and nose kisses
July 6, 2012 at 2:15 PM
This is creepy! But good to know! Thanks!
July 6, 2012 at 4:28 PM
Rock on June Buggie! Fascinating article.
July 7, 2012 at 10:38 AM
That explains a lot about Icewolf lol …. all that raw “undercooked” meat…not cooked at all actually
, chomping it up straight from the carcass! And certainly don’t wash my paws! Oh wolfie parasites!! I must be riddled with such infections!! At least I have a good excuse for the maddness I pass off as wolf-sanity 
July 8, 2012 at 9:25 PM
Thanks for sharing such good info!
July 8, 2012 at 9:45 PM
Meow!!!!!
July 27, 2012 at 6:34 PM
MEOW, too!
Being careful is always wise