Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
6791930 
Journal Article 
Acute lead intoxication in two white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) 
Muller, K; Krone, O; Gobel, T; Brunnberg, L; , 
2001 
1 
Tierärztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K: Kleintiere/Heimtiere
ISSN: 1434-1239
EISSN: 2567-5842 
F K SCHATTAUER VERLAG GMBH 
STUTTGART 
209-213 
WOS:000169378800011 
Two free-living white-tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) with lead intoxication were submitted to the clinic of small animal medicine, Freie Universitaet, Berlin. Besides the typical clinical symptoms and the metal dense pieces in the stomach detected by X-ray, the blood lead concentrations confirmed the diagnosis. One immature eagle with a level of 0.6 ppm lead in the blood survived with chelation therapy, infusions and antibiotics, whereas a second eagle, an adult bird with a blood lead concentration of 4.8 ppm, died despite intensive care. Because of the use of lead containing ammunition for hunting there is a general high risk for white-tailed sea eagles, feeding on carrion or waterbirds disabled by leadshot, to pick up lead and get poisoned. The lack of metal dense particles in the stomach does not preclude the diagnosis of lead poisoning. Blood lead concentrations of or above 0.6 ppm demonstrate intoxication. Immediate removal of lead from the stomach, chelation therapy, antibiotics and infusion will support the recovery if blood lead levels are below 1.2 ppm.