Lead toxicosis in a puppy

After showing clinical and radiographic signs of a gastrointestinal foreign body, a 5-month-old puppy began head pressing, which progressed to convulsions. Hematological abnormalities suggested lead poisoning; serum lead was 2.61 mumol/L. The puppy made a complete recovery after intensive treatment for lead toxicosis.     

Clinical findings in dogs and cats with lead poisoning

Over an 11-year period, 68 cases of lead poisoning were diagnosed in dogs and three in cats, accounting for 58.6% and 21.4% of the accidental poisonings in dogs and cats, respectively, presented at the Small Animal Clinic, University of Queensland. Of the dogs, 94% showed alimentary tract involvement and 67.6% central nervous system signs. Blood lead concentrations above 0.3 ppm were considered to indicate toxicity when associated with alimentary tract or central nervous system abnormalities. The percutaneous absorption of lead in dogs is proposed as a factor for intoxication.     

Lead toxicosis in the horse: A review

Lead intoxication is rarely diagnosed in horses and can present a major challenge to the equine practitioner because of the variety of clinical signs. Horses with lead poisoning can develop gastrointestinal disturbances, neurological abnormalities, haematological changes, or nonspecific signs of weight loss, weakness and rough hair coat, which makes early diagnosis difficult. Fortunately, lead analysis of whole blood is routinely available and can confirm intoxication. Because of the well‐described lead‐induced peripheral neuropathies in horses, a thorough neurological examination is essential in the investigation of a suspect case. Once diagnosed, the source of lead has to be identified and further exposure prevented. Intoxication can be treated by administering chelating drugs and providing symptomatic and supportive care.     

EVALUATION OF TESTS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS OF LEAD EXPOSURE IN SHEEP

SUMMARY Several laboratory tests that are currently used for the diagnosis of lead poisoning in man were evaluated for the detection of lead poisoning in sheep given 3 or 10 mg Pb/kg body weight/day for 7 weeks. Urinary porphyrins and basophilic stippling of erythrocytes were not sensitive indicators of lead poisoning in sheep, while urinary lead and urinary ?-aminolevulinic acid concentrations were too variable to have diagnostic value. However, erythrocyte ?-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase was strongly inhibited by exposure to relatively low doses of lead, while blood lead concentrations gave an indication of the level of exposure to lead poisoning.     

Feline Precursor. porphyria, characterized by persistent delta. Aminolevulinic aciduria

A female domestic shorthaired cat had frequent seizures and vague gastrointestinal signs. Lead poisoning was suspected because of increased urinary delta aminolevulinic acid concentration. However, abnormalities continued despite repeated chelation therapy and blood lead concentration was normal. Delta aminolevulinic aciduria persisted, but concentrations of porphobilinogen in urine and of porphyrins in blood, urine and faeces were normal. An inherited porphyric disorder was suspected, involving deficiency of aminolevulinic acid dehydrase, an enzyme active in haem biosynthesis. Accumulation of aminolevulinic acid in vivo could explain the observed signs.     

Lead poisoning in cattle

Lead poisoning is a frequent cause of poisoning in domestic animals. Signs of encephalopathy and gastroenteritis are commonly observed in cattle following lead poisoning. This article discusses the etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical signs, diagnosis, postmortem findings, and treatment of lead poisoning in cattle.     

Lead poisoning in cattle and its implications for food safety

The lead poisoning incidents in cattle investigated by the Veterinary Laboratories Agency between 1990 and 2003 are reviewed. Lead poisoning was most commonly encountered in young calves, but cattle of all ages were affected. The lead was derived mainly from lead paint, lead accumulator batteries and lead in soil from old mine workings. Paint was responsible for the majority of cases of poisoning in young calves; yearling animals were most at risk from discarded batteries, and adult cows were most commonly poisoned by geochemical sources of lead. There was a marked seasonal incidence, with most cases occurring after turnout in the spring and early summer.     

A method for the treatment of lead poisoning in the mute swan (Cygnus olor) and its long-term success

A method for the treatment of lead poisoning in mute swans (Cygnus olor) is described. Chelation therapy, using sodium calcium edetate, was successful in resolving the clinical signs of lead poisoning in 49% of cases. Individually ringed swans were monitored after their release to the wild, in order to assess the long-term benefits of treatment. Re-sighting and recovery data suggested that at least 22% of swans treated for lead poisoning survived the first 2 years. The results indicate that despite treatment, once a swan becomes lead poisoned its chances of survival are reduced by 59% compared with untreated swans living in flocks.     

Lead poisoning and canine distemper

Clinical signs of lead poisoning are rather nonspecific and have often been confused with those of canine distemper. Described is a case of canine distemper which on clinical examination, haematology and biochemical test (U-ALA) indicated intoxication with lead. The case demonstrates the value of taking blood samples for the purpose of estimation of lead level in suspect cases of lead poisoning.     

An unusual case of lead poisoning in a honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus)

The diagnosis and treatment of a case of lead poisoning in a honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) are described. Presenting signs were diarrhoea and weakness. Lead poisoning was suspected after radiography and confirmed by measuring the lead concentration in a venous blood sample. Comparison values of venous lead concentrations in healthy racing pigeons (Columba livia) were established. A method for the removal of lead shor from the gizzard of birds with a bronchoscope and grasping forceps under fluoroscopic control is described.     

A retrospective study on the disappearance of blood lead in cattle with accidental lead toxicosis.

Lead poisoning in cattle and other food animals is of public health significance because of the potential for human exposure to lead through ingestion of contaminated meat and milk products derived from lead-poisoned animals. In Michigan, lead poisoning in livestock is a reportable disease, and positive cattle are quarantined until they test negative (<0.05 ppm blood lead). There is surprisingly little information on blood lead kinetics in cattle. The half-life has been variably reported as 9 weeks and 1-2 months. Because these data did not fit those obtained from cases received at the Michigan State University Animal Health Diagnostic Laboratory, a retrospective study was conducted to review all cases of accidental lead poisoning in cattle between 1990 and 1998. This information is needed to estimate when quarantined lead-poisoned cattle can be released. The results showed that the half-life of blood lead was quite variable and ranged from 48 to 2,507 days. The shortest half-lives (48, 56, and 57 days) were found in a lactating herd of 20-month-old heifers. The longest half-life, 2,507 days, was found in a 9-month-old castrated bull, which ingested a discarded automobile battery. Of the 24 animals monitored, only 8/24 (33%) had half-lives between 6 and 14 weeks. In conclusion, the half-life of blood lead is difficult to predict in accidental cases of cattle poisoning.     

Acute lead poisoning in calves: clinical, pathological and toxicological findings]

We present a case of acute lead poisoning in 10 calves. All calves died with few or no clinical signs prior to death. The clinical signs included neurologic and gastrointestinal symptoms but were of an unspecific nature. Several painted iron girders, stored on a field close to the farm, were determined as the source of the poisoning. Postmortem findings were minimal. Some animals presented acid-fast, intranuclear inclusion bodies in the renal tubules. A chemical analysis of some frozen parts of the liver and kidney revealed levels of lead as high as 12 ppm in the liver and 63 ppm in the kidney on a wet-weight basis. This article discusses the etiology, clinical signs, postmortem findings and diagnosis of lead poisoning in calves with special emphasis on the chemical analysis.     

Phalaris arundinacea as a cause of deaths and incoordination in sheep

Extract

An ovariectomized female terrier dog had two episodes of lead poisoning, confirmed by a laboratory, in June 1966 and in March 1968. In July 1968, when she was 11 years old, she was presented showing periodic vomiting and loss of condition. She appeared to respond to therapy with calcium EDTA for lead poisoning although the laboratory findings did not support this diagnosis.     

Lead poisoning in calves due to old white lead paint

A case of poisoning by chronic ingestion of lead in calves with a peracute clinical course is described. The source of lead was a prime coat of white lead on old white painted doors. These doors originated from an institution for aged people and had been used as pen walls for fattening calves. About 12 weeks later five animals died within hours after onset of CNS-symptoms. The post mortem examination of three animals revealed one with multifocal laminar edema and mild vasculitis in the cerebrocortex, one with acid fast intranuclear inclusion bodies in the renal tubular epithelial cells and one without lesions. Liver, kidney and abomasal contents of two animals were analysed for lead content. The concentration was diagnostic for lead poisoning in one case only.     

Bovine lead poisoning in Alberta: A management disease

Lead poisoning was the most common toxicosis diagnosed in cattle by Alberta Animal Health Laboratories between 1964 and 1985 (n = 738 cases, = 33.5 cases per year). Seasonal variation in incidence was evident, and occurrence was frequently associated with change in housing or pasture. Discarded batteries or used crankcase oil were implicated in more than 80% of cases for which the source of lead was determined.

Pulmonary congestion, marked congestion and hemorrhage of thymus and heart, and presence of oil or lead particles in the ingesta were the most common postmortem findings. Eighty-six percent of cases were confirmed by elevated lead levels in tissues.

Lead poisoning represents a significant, unnecessary loss to producers. Increased producer awareness and improved waste management on farms could significantly reduce the incidence of lead poisoning in cattle.

     

An unusual case of lead poisoning in a honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus)

Summary

The diagnosis and treatment of a case of lead poisoning in a honey buzzard (Pernis apivorus) are described.

Presenting signs were diarrhoea and weakness. Lead poisoning was suspected after radiography and confirmed by measuring the lead concentration in a venous blood sample. Comparison values of venous lead concentrations in healthy racing pigeons (Columba livia) were established.

A method for the removal of lead shor from the gizzard of birds with a bronchoscope and grasping forceps under fluoroscopic control is described.     

Lead poisoning in dogs

Extract

Lead poisoning in dogs is insidious in onset, difficult to diagnose, and frequently overlooked. It is more prevalent in the older and more run-down areas in cities, where deteriorating paint, old lead plumbing, and untidy yards present many opportunities for dogs to acquire toxic amounts. My own practice is situated in one of the older areas of Christchurch and, over the 11 years covered by this paper, I have confirmed 107 cases of lead poisoning.     

Lead poisoning in a cat

Lead poisoning was suspected in a 3-year old Persian cat with depression, anorexia and sporadic vomiting. Laboratory tests disclosed an increased urinary delta aminolevulinic acid (δ-ALA) concentration but normoblastaemia or basophilic stippling of erythrocytes. Treatment for lead poisoning with calcium ethylenediamine tetraacetate for 5 days brought clinical improvement and reduction of urinary δ-ALA concentration but signs of toxicosis recurred in the next week. Repeated chelation therapy brought prompt improvement. A dog and another cat in the household had increased urinary δ-ALA concentrations, indicating metabolic effects of lead exposure, but were clinically well and were not treated. The source of lead was believed to be old paint.     

Animal poisoning in Europe. Part 3: Wildlife

This review article is the third in a series on animal poisoning in Europe and represents a collation of published and non-published wildlife poisoning data from Belgium, France, Greece, Italy and Spain over the last 10 years. Birds, particularly waterfowl and raptors, were more commonly reported as victims of poisoning than wild mammals. In addition to specific but important toxicological disasters, deliberate primary or secondary poisonings are of concern to all countries. Metals (particularly lead arising from sporting/hunting activities) and pesticides (mainly anticholinesterases and anticoagulants) are frequent causes of poisoning, and often have fatal consequences. A more unified and consistent approach throughout European countries to improve the reporting and the analytical confirmation of wildlife poisoning would help to reduce the number of cases of malicious or negligent animal poisoning.     

Blood lead concentrations of children and dogs from 83 Illinois families.

In comparison of blood lead concentrations (BLC) of 119 children and 94 dogs from 83 low-income suburban Illinois families, the mean BLC in the children was 8.9 mug/100 ml greater than that in the dogs. Demonstration of a BLC of diagnostic significance in a family dog increased the probability sixfold of finding a child in the same family with a BLC similarly increased. A history of pica in a family dog also increased the likelihood of finding pica in the family's children. It was concluded that family dogs may be useful sentinels of lead poisoning in children, and that veterinarians seeing dogs in clinical situations may have public health responsibilities with regard to lead poisoning.