Synonyms

No known synonym

Name of the disease in English

Lead poisoning

The disease in brief

Lead poisoning is a serious problem and is not really rare, which is why it is so important. Its source is the ingestion of battery remains (400-600 mg/kg single dose), other sometimes unexpected residues (engine oil residue, television screen, paint, clay pigeon shooting lead; prolonged grazing of small doses (6-7 mg/kg live weight or 100-200 mg/kg of fodder or concentrates) in polluted areas (old mines, industrial pollution) leads to chronic poisoning. Poisoning can be delayed significantly after ingestion.

A strong suspicion should cause milk and meat deliveries to be interrupted. The significant damage caused by certain poisonings means that the practitioner must be very rigorous and cautious in his work.

Clinic & diagnosis

This poisoning can be suspected when a call is made for cattle that are drooling, or have diarrhea, or nervous signs or an impossible recovery; it is by observing a combination of very varied and inconstant symptoms that the disease is suspected:

–Digestive signs: Diarrhea most often, constipation sometimes,

–At head level: He may drool, or have difficulty swallowing, or a weak tongue, or have a trembling neck, or ears that move rapidly and constantly.

-At eye level: The blink reflex to threat is absent and pupillary reflex to light present (amaurosis of cortical origin) or show mydriasis,

-At the locomotor level: He may be reluctant to move or stagger, or be ataxic, or turn in circles until he falls.

Typical sign of the disease

No description

Pictures

See below

Diagnostic formulas

No description

Differential diagnosis

-Rage NV18.1

-Bacterial meningoencephalitis NV13.1

-Hypomagnesemia NV14.2

-Ketosis, nerve form NV14

-Necrosis of the cerebral cortex NV20

-Tetanus NV19

-NV1 brain abscess

Confirm a suspicion?

This is a field investigation that allows the suspicion of poisoning to be confirmed on site. A blood sample on anticoagulant should allow the lead and ALAD-D (aminolevulinic acid dehydrase) levels to be measured to make a precise assessment of the poisoning.

Prognosis and treatment

The treatment is difficult and often disappointing:

-Reduce nervous signs with an anesthetic such as xylazine or thiopental.

-An infusion to force the elimination of the toxin:

-A rumenotomy can be attempted to rid its contents of lead, washing the contents with a sodium sulfate solution.

-A supply of vitamin B1 by injection.

Prevention

Thoroughly clear the environment of various waste and old paint.

 Well-fed cattle save them from having to rummage around everywhere.

Be vigilant in areas that may have been ancient lead mines.

 

References

-Veterinary Medicine-Pocket companion -9th Edition BLOOD DC-page 563