This message is from: "Tamarack Lamb & Wool" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
I agree every barn must have a cat, but do not assume cats do not spread disease. toxoplasmosis is a common infection in young cats, and is most prevelent on farms that have batch after batch of young kittens. Toxoplasmosis can cause abortion in most animals (not sure about horses, but definitely will cause serious abortion storms in cows and sheep). I have known more than one farm woman to loose her pregnancy to toxo as well. It is a very nasty disease. Toxo is spread when cats use the feed for a litter box. while it is possible to secure the grain etc in sealed bins, it is not possible to prevent cats from soiling hay. The solution is to only keep a few mature neutered cats, and as much as possible prevent them from soiling the feed. btw rats and mice also spread toxo.
Janet
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