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FELINE DISEASES

Lead poisoning
Lead poisoning produces two main groups of symptoms, predominantly gastrointestinal (stomach and gut) signs or as a neurological (brain and nerve related) condition. The gastrointestinal (GIT) signs tend to be seen in cases with small intakes over an extended period of time, whereas the neurological signs tend to result from single large dose. It is not unusual to have a combination of symptoms which is a strong indicator to consider lead poisoning as a possible diagnosis.

Sources of lead may include old paint chips or dust from sanding (especially in houses being renovated), batteries, solder, sinkers, old putty, curtain weights, improperly glazed ceramic bowls, grease, used motor oil and older linoleum.

More specific symptoms include
GIT:
Vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia (not eating) and pain when feeling around the abdomen
Nervous signs:
Seizures, ataxia (stumbling around in awkward manner), blindness, lethargy or hysteria.
Blood:
Anemia (decreased red blood cells) occurs as a result of the lead interfering with the production of hemoglobin, which is the protein in red blood cells which is responsible for carrying oxygen around the body. The red blood cells become fragile and don’t survive as long.

Diagnosis is best achieved by taking a sample of urine and having it tested for delta-amino levulinic acid (D-ALA). In cases showing clinical signs this will always be increased.
Other methods that may help include:

  1. X-rays-any large amounts of lead that have been eaten will show up clearly on an Xray film. Note that the presence/absence of lead does not necessarily confirm or deny lead poisoning.
  2. Testing for blood lead levels. Levels above 0.6ppm suggest poisoning, but note that this does not reflect the actual levels that are within the tissues themselves. Up to 90% of lead can be locked away within bone and liver.
  3. Examination of the blood may reveal basophilic stipling (small blue clumps in red blood cells) which can occur as a result of lead exposure, or anemia with nucleated (immature) red blood cells.

Treatment is aimed at hastening the excretion (removal) of absorbed lead in the body and to remove the source if still present in the GIT.
  1. Calcium EDTA is chelating agent which binds to the absorbed lead to make it nontoxic and water soluble allowing it to be rapidly filtered out by the liver and kidneys.
  2. Surgery may be required to remove any large lead objects from the intestine.
  3. A cathartic (compound that speeds up the GIT movement to get rid of a toxin faster) can be used in cases where small particles of lead are present. Examples of cathartics include sodium sulfate (Glauber’s salts) or magnesium sulfate(Epsom’s salts). Flushing the stomach may be also be indicated.
  4. Diazepam or phenobarbital can be given to control seizures.

     

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