9471 infected plants?

I should have asked this along with the spider thread! I'm not great when it comes to plants and things so bear with me! There are a few stray cats in the village and one took up residence in our cantina and pee-ed in a pile of sand that I use to mix in with compost for my herbs and veg in pots. Is there any danger of any kind of feline disease being passed from the sand to me via my edible plants!!!! My dad joked about it to me and now I'm slightly concerned :wideeyed:

Category
Gardening & Agriculture

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/02/2008 - 05:20

Not an expert Tessa but would think you would be OK,, I have kept cats all my life and they do tend to pee, especially on lovely just turned earth for the veggy plot (ummm thank you Mummy a giant litter tray!) And farmers do use manure on their fields, if you wash everything well I wouldnt think you will have any problems.
A

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/02/2008 - 05:58

I think that cat urine in the sand is unlikely to be a problem, not least because anything unpleasant that might be in the urine should be washed away when you water the plants.

However, you should be careful when gardening in soil which might contain cat faeces and eating root crops grown in such soil, since this can result in infection with the [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxoplasmosis"]toxoplasmosis[/URL] parasite. That's usually not a serious problem, but in some circumstances it can be lethal. Infection also has serious implications for unborn children, so women who are (or might be) pregnant should be particularly careful.

Al

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/02/2008 - 07:21

So its no carrots in the orto then,! but on a more serious note that makes daunting reading Al, thank you for reminding me of the dangers,
A

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 05/02/2008 - 09:26

Thanks everyone. I can enjoy my lettuces now knowing they won't hurt me!!:yes:

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/03/2008 - 18:09

Best to wash all veg, even from your own plot as the list of parasites possible would make your hair stand on end but the dangers are minimal partic if you can prevent the moggies cr***ing on your veg patch.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/04/2008 - 03:09

We have been talking about the wonders of bicarbonate in another thread and here is a way to keep your veggies and fruit clean and disinfected:

[url=http://www.bicarbonato.it/scopri/bicarplus/bicarplus-test/]Bicarplus-test[/url]

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/06/2008 - 10:30

I wouldnt worry after all you don't know about all the foxes,badger,wild boar or hedgehogs that may be relieving themselved on your veg patch !!