Has anyone had to get rid of a pet becuase your child was allergic?

we just got home from the allergist, we found out that my 18 month-old son is highly allergic to cat dander. The dr. said that the severity of the reaction my son had to the test is a bit unusual in a child his age. He said we should definitely get rid of the cat (among other recommendations). I've had the cat for 10 years, since he was a kitten and I was a single gal living alone. I am so upset, I am so attached to my cat and to think he is causing my son harm is even more upsetting. Has anyone been in this situation? How did you deal??

Thanks!!

Message edited 2/8/2008 11:19:40 AM.

Re: Has anyone had to get rid of a pet becuase your child was allergic?

I was alomst in it, so I knwo the emotions you're feeling. DS has had horrible congestion issues for months he jsut got his allergy tests back on Wednesday and we were soooo sure that the cat was going to have to go. Fortunately, it wasn't the cat because I don't know what Iw ould have done with him since he's sick and needs dails meds and I have to clean up cat vomit every day. I would have put up some fliers at work byt he coffe pots and posted on the pet board on here and maybe someone I knew would have been willing to take him and then I could maybe have occassionally still seen him. My alst resort would have been to call North Shore (where we got him) because they don't euthanize. Try finding someone at work, on here or a neighbor first, so that you may not have to completely part with your fur baby.

Re: Has anyone had to get rid of a pet becuase your child was allergic?

Thanks for your understanding. I just made the heart-breaking call to my mom, she lives upstate, 4 hours away. She has no other pets and will give him the TLC he needs and deserves. I only get to my mom's every 3 or 4 months, so I will get to see him. It just breaks my heart anyway.

Re: Has anyone had to get rid of a pet becuase your child was allergic?

I would check with your vet, there are sometimes special meds or shampoos you can use to decrease the dander.