Toxic Smell and Cat Urine - 2 of my recent worries

[Pepper100]

Hi,

I am currently in the middle of a house move. I was helping DH to label the boxes in the garage and opened one of them up in the garden to see what was in it. I got the biggest waft of a really chemical smell. I shut it up straight away but could still smell it in the garden for at least 2-3 minutes. It turned out that it was some upvc cleaner that we were given from the people who fitted our windows and was told at the time that it was really strong, to use gloves when using and always ventilate the room. When I used it a few years ago I had to keep taking breaks as it was really strong. Obviously the bottle was closed but the smell was really strong. I am a bit of a worrier and now think I have done damage to my baby. DH thinks that as I was outside it isn't a problem.

Also I chucked out a box and wondered why the box was damp. It turned out that it was cat urine. I washed my hands immediately but don't know what or if there is an issue with cat urine. I know cat faeces are a no no and have read all about that as I have 2 cats but I can't find any info on cat urine.

Thanks for reading. I know I probably sound a bit mad but I get myself into a tizz, get some facts and then calm down.

 

[Maviyildiz]

I don't know how far along you are, but I understand that cat feces exposure isn't really an issue very early in the pregnancy, since your immune system is not yet supressed. I am unfortunately unsure about whether or not we are supposed to avoid cat urine as well, but I think the immediate handwashing was the best thing you could do, and you probably shouldn't worry.

I understand the worrying though. We have indoor cats and their litter box has to be in our one, tiny bathroom. I don't clean it out, but I have to go in there and sometimes I wonder if I am being exposed to something I shouldn't.

As for the chemical smell, I tend to agree with your DH. You were outside, and it isn't chronic exposure. I wouldn't worry.

 

[babyv_s2012]

I agree with the previous post, you were outside and it was ventilated and it was a very brief encounter with the chemical smell. As for the cat urine im sure all will be okay as you washed your hands. I also have a cat but shes mainly outside but we do have a litter tray but hubby is dealing with that and its in a very large room so i dont think theres any danger. Its natural to worry- i do it all the time! If in doubt contact your mw of Dr.

 

[Pepper100]

I am 12w 5d.

Normally I am ok with our own cats as I take the necessary precautions. We have a cupboard under our stairs with a cat flap in the door. The cats food, water and litter tray is in there. DH is the only one who goes in there and I stay out of the way while he is attending to it.

The box I mentioned came from a bag that was at my sisters house. Her cats wee on everything. My DH put the bag in the bin but I didn't realise that he had taken this box out.

I do worry a lot. I try to do all the right things which makes me more relaxed but then somethings always happen that you don't mean to happen and that makes me worried.

 

[bananaz]

Brief exposure to cat pee doesn't really pose any risk to you or your baby. If your concern is toxoplasmosis, that's transmitted via feces, not urine. Of course the ammonia in cat urine isn't great to inhale whether you're pregnant or not, but just touching a pee-soaked box is not going to do anything. The same goes for the pipe chemical smell - long-term exposure to something like that could be harmful, but just being around it for a few minutes is not a big deal. Relax, mama!