Submit Printed on November 20, 2020 | Final Up to date on December 15, 2020 by Jenny
Risks of Snowglobes and Cats: Snow Globes Comprise Anti-Freeze
Written by Donna (Initially printed on June 15, 2012. Donna writes me EVERY 12 months reminding me to repost this in Charlie’s honor.)
This can be a troublesome story to put in writing however yearly earlier than the vacations I ship out a warning in regards to the unknown risks of snow globes. the gorgeous vacation ornament that many people gather and show. I’m sharing it with you with hopes you’ll publish on Floppycats.
This is a difficult story to write but every year before the holidays I send out a warning about the unknown dangers of snow globes. Click To Tweet
This can be a story of Charlie. We adopted him in Might of 2006 throughout an All Pet Undertake-A-Thon I based and arranged in Jacksonville Florida. He was about 4 months outdated and had a ravishing coat, fabulous eyes and a face you couldn’t resist! I knew he needed to be mine.
As Charlie adjusted into his new eternally residence it grew to become obvious he was a really sensible kitty, all the time able to play but additionally all the time prepared to like and be cherished. He shared his residence together with his brothers and sisters and had nice time. He was rising and growing into a powerful animal. His fur grew longer, eyes turned a ravishing blue grey and his tail was the envy of all of the kitties. Thick, bushy and superb! Charlie had the character and appears you possibly can solely think about. He was my boy.
On Christmas Eve day 2006 my stunning Ragdoll wannabe Charlie was being himself, into every thing. The door to the visitor bed room was open as a result of one in all my different kitties was sleeping on the mattress. Normally the door is stored locked. We’ve a few kitties which have acquired door opening expertise. I didn’t wish to disturb him so I simply walked by and headed for work. Later within the day I obtained a name from my husband saying I used to be not going to be to comfortable as a result of Charlie had leap on the chest of drawers, knocked over a snow globe and it had damaged. Though I used to be upset (it had been my mother’s earlier than she handed away in 2004) you must count on issues occurring when you’ve cats.
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Jim, my husband, had cleaned up the mess and dried Charlie off. I work retail so I didn’t get residence till after 6:00 p.m. that night and observed Charlie behaving just a little unusual. His huge fluffy tail was down and he appeared to be not feeling effectively. I requested Jim how he had been by out the day. Jim stated Charlie had joined him for a nap earlier and was very affectionate rubbing throughout him and wouldn’t go away him alone.
I made a decision to do a little analysis into what might be within the liquid contents of the snow globe. I referred to as poison management and was advised almost certainly it might have salmonella and Charlie had just a bit upset abdomen. I’m by no means happy with an assumption and hit the pc to additional my analysis. To my horror, I found snow globes comprise ethylene glycol (anti-freeze) to stop freezing throughout delivery. Most are imported from China.
Dangers of Snowglobes and Cats: Snow Globes Contain Anti-Freeze Click To Tweet
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Charlie had anti-freeze poisoning! Only a small quantity left on his fur was sufficient to do the injury even after my husband had dried him off. The poison was destroying his kidneys.
Charlie had anti-freeze poisoning! Just a small amount left on his fur was enough to do the damage even after my husband had dried him off. The poison was destroying his kidneys. Click To Tweet
Panic-stricken I referred to as a pal from a rescue group to see if she had any information on tips on how to deal with Charlie. With no expertise in treating anti-freeze poisoning, I rushed Charlie to our native emergency vet hospital. By this time 7 hours had handed because the accident and Charlie’s time was working out.
After what appeared to an eternity, Charlie was examined for anti-freeze poison. The outcomes had been optimistic and sadly, an excessive amount of time had handed and his kidneys had began to crystallize. I used to be devastated and requested they deal with him with the slightest chance he might be saved. In 9 hours the injury is irreversible.
I left Charlie for remedy in a single day and picked him up on Christmas day. He was nonetheless hanging on however was getting worse by the hour. The subsequent day I took Charlie to a different emergency vet hospital. He was handled and however his possibilities for survival had been turning into slim. The next day my common vet was open and I introduced Charlie in. Dr. Sleeper made preparations for Charlie to be seen on the instructing hospital in Gainesville, Florida. They confirmed our worse fears. There was no hope of saving Charlie.
My husband regarded right into a transplant nevertheless it was too late. Charlie was to weak and too far gone for the operation. On December 27, 2006, at 3:20 p.m. simply three days after the accident, our valuable child handed away…He was solely 10 months outdated.
We later realized the overly affectionate habits was all a part of the anti-freeze poisoning. It provides the pet a sense like being drunk and the small quantity of anti-freeze left on Charlie’s coat even after being dried off was sufficient to poison him.
I can’t start to explain the sentiments of helplessness and guilt my husband and I felt. Me for leaving the door open and Jim for not washing him off. I made a promise on that day his dying it could not be in useless. I began calling and emailing each information media in my space. Somebody needed to pay attention. I lastly received a name from Allie Gorman, well being reported. She agreed to listen to my story.
I advised her of the occasions main as much as Charlie’s passing and the lack of awareness and risks of snow globes. She agreed to air Charlie’s story. It was heartbreaking to relive the occasions main as much as his dying however I knew if even one pet might be saved from Charlie’s story it could be value it.
I had contacted poison management, Humane Society of United States, ASPCA, and anybody else I might consider to tell them of anti-freeze utilized in snow globes. It was very shocking to find how many individuals (vets and different humane societies) had no concept in regards to the anti-freeze added to the contents of snow globes. Our native newspaper additionally ran a full web page on snow globes.
Replace: We’re grateful others are additionally sharing the warning too. betterpet.com
Annually I relive the nightmare, Christmas has by no means been the identical however I ensure that Charlie’s story is shared with hopes it may well stop one other tragedy from occurring.
That’s how I began with my love for Ragdolls. Nonetheless devastated from our loss I began on the lookout for one other lengthy haired kitty once I found Charlie regarded a lot like a Ragdoll. In fact in my search I discovered Sammie at an area shelter. Sammie is a Maine Coon I simply couldn’t resist! Then at some point per week earlier than my husband’s birthday an advert for Ragdoll kitten was run within the newspaper categorised. I referred to as Jim and requested if he wish to “simply look” on the kittens. He agreed. The remainder is historical past. I chosen just a little boy, Georgie and Jim picked out Gracie. to hitch our household with Sammie, Stella, Tux, Frankie and Scoots. These little fur balls don’t substitute Charlie however the pleasure they’ve introduced us is priceless!’
It’s exhausting to place into element, I’m crying as I sort. Please print what you possibly can. I hope Charlie’s story will make a distinction in somebody life.
Regards,
Donna Smith
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