MyBlueEyes
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Poison Center Changes Protocol Over Toxic Snow Globes
Donna and Jim Smith were devastated when their 10-month-old cat Charlie died on Christmas Eve. They were also shocked by how it happened.
The Smith’s say Charlie had knocked over a snow globe. Toxicology reports showed he was killed by what may have been inside that globe -- ethylene glycol, or antifreeze.
But even when the Smiths called the vet, and Florida's Poison Information Center, they were told the only harmful ingredient inside snow globes is dirty water.
However, after our report, the poison center started doing some research and now they've changed their protocol.
“I have to thank you for bringing this [to] us, because if you didn't, we wouldn't have noticed until we had a bad outcome,” says Dr. Jay Schauben, Director of the Florida Poison Information Center.
Now if the center receives a call about ingesting the contents of a snow globe, unless they can verify it was only filled with water, they may have to send the caller to the hospital.
“If untreated, very small amounts of this can actually result in death,” Dr. Schauben says.
According to Dr. Schauben, the center is starting more studies to find out which manufacturers use antifreeze and if they display a warning.
And while the Smiths can't bring Charlie back, they’re glad telling their story can prevent this from happening to anyone else.
“I just hope that enough people see this,” says Jim Smith, “because I know Charlie was a kitty, but this could have happened to a child or an adult.”
Right now, protocol at the poison centers in Florida has been changed. Dr. Schauben also expects once they present their findings, it will change the protocol at all of the centers nationwide.
Sad
Mediacenter - CBS47.com
Donna and Jim Smith were devastated when their 10-month-old cat Charlie died on Christmas Eve. They were also shocked by how it happened.
The Smith’s say Charlie had knocked over a snow globe. Toxicology reports showed he was killed by what may have been inside that globe -- ethylene glycol, or antifreeze.
But even when the Smiths called the vet, and Florida's Poison Information Center, they were told the only harmful ingredient inside snow globes is dirty water.
However, after our report, the poison center started doing some research and now they've changed their protocol.
“I have to thank you for bringing this [to] us, because if you didn't, we wouldn't have noticed until we had a bad outcome,” says Dr. Jay Schauben, Director of the Florida Poison Information Center.
Now if the center receives a call about ingesting the contents of a snow globe, unless they can verify it was only filled with water, they may have to send the caller to the hospital.
“If untreated, very small amounts of this can actually result in death,” Dr. Schauben says.
According to Dr. Schauben, the center is starting more studies to find out which manufacturers use antifreeze and if they display a warning.
And while the Smiths can't bring Charlie back, they’re glad telling their story can prevent this from happening to anyone else.
“I just hope that enough people see this,” says Jim Smith, “because I know Charlie was a kitty, but this could have happened to a child or an adult.”
Right now, protocol at the poison centers in Florida has been changed. Dr. Schauben also expects once they present their findings, it will change the protocol at all of the centers nationwide.
Sad
Mediacenter - CBS47.com
