Animal advocates hope to break barriers

Many pregnant women give up their pets when their relatives and friends fuss over the fact that they have a pet during the crucial nine months.

This is due to the possibility that expectant mothers can contract toxoplasmosis, a disease that may cause birth defects.

Gynecologists and scientists, however, confirm that this can be avoided, first because cats and dogs can only catch the disease once in their lifetimes.

"Toxoplasma eggs are present in cats' feces, or in their fur in rare cases. As a matter of fact, it is not an easily contracted disease, especially if pregnant women avoid their pets' feces and claws," said Zhang Xilong, an internal infection specialist at the People's Hospital in Jidong county, Heilongjiang province.

Research also suggests that people who consume raw meat are far more prone to contract the disease than cat owners.

But pregnant woman should not make light of the disease's potentially irreversible impact. Unborn babies can be treated, but in severe cases ending the pregnancy is the best option.

- Wang Yuke