Lead Poisoning

Lead Poisoning



Basic Information image



Definition


Lead is a heavy metal that has been associated with poisonings around the world for thousands of years. It has been used in a variety of products, including but not limited to paints (before 1977 in the United States), shotgun pellets, car batteries, leaded gasoline and oil, pipes, and roofing material. Environmental contamination may occur near lead mining and smelting facilities; battery factories and battery recycling centers; and on a smaller scale, areas where lead paint has been used and then removed by sand blasting or high-pressure washing, and burn piles.



Synonym(s)


Lead toxicosis, plumbism



Epidemiology



Species, Age, Sex


Young animals are at higher risk.



• Young animals absorb lead more efficiently from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.


• Young animals are more prone to dietary indiscretion.



Risk Factors


Dietary deficiencies of calcium, iron, zinc, or vitamin D may enhance lead absorption.



Contagion and Zoonosis


Lead is not an infectious agent and therefore is not contagious or zoonotic. However, if lead toxicosis is diagnosed in a domestic animal, people living in the area should be assessed for possible environmental exposure.



Geography and Seasonality


Worldwide distribution



Clinical Presentation



Disease Forms/Subtypes




• Acute lead poisoning


• Chronic lead poisoning (more common in horses)



History, Chief Complaint




• The horse lives near a battery factory or a lead mine or smelter.


• The barn was built before 1977 (in the United States).


image Paint may have recently been removed by power washing or sand blasting.

image There may be evidence of chewing on painted wood.

• Clinical signs of acute lead poisoning


image Seizures

image Colic

image Unexpected death

• Clinical signs of chronic lead poisoning include:


image Depression

image Ataxia

image Weight loss

image Change in voice, stridor

image Muscle fasciculations

image Dysphagia, drooping lips or ears


Physical Exam Findings




• Laryngeal paralysis


• Secondary aspiration pneumonia


• Peripheral neuropathy


• Facial nerve deficits


• Emaciation


• Metallic foreign body in GI tract on radiographs



Etiology and Pathophysiology


Lead causes its clinical effects by competing with calcium ions in bones, muscles, and nerves and at binding sites on proteins. Lead may affect zinc-containing enzymes. Lead also binds to sulfhydryl groups on enzymes.



Diagnosis image



Differential Diagnosis




• Rabies


• Other viral encephalitides


• Equine protozoal myeloencephalitis


• Hepatic encephalopathy


• Equine leukoencephalomalacia


• Equine nigropallidal encephalomalacia


• Equine motor neuron disease

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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Lead Poisoning

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