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Recent national news has included stories on lead paint in toys, jewelry, and cosmetics manufactured in China. Lead paint on toys and in jewelry can be a source of lead poisoning in dogs and cats, as well as the traditional sources. Dogs and cats often act as sentinels (first affected) in households with lead poisoning risks.
Cause and Incidence
Lead has widespread uses due to its malleability, lack of corrosiveness, and impenetrability by ultraviolet rays. Sources of lead in households can include peeling or chipped older paint (lead interior paint was banned in 1977), linoleum, solder, plumbing materials (“plumb” means lead in Latin), putty, tar paper, caulk, improperly glazed ceramic bowls with yellow or red colors, car and truck wheel weights, drapery weights, fishing sinkers, and bullets or some shotgun pellets. Lead usually enters the body by ingestion of paint chips or breathing of paint dust during home remodeling projects. Swallowing fishing sinkers or plumbing materials is another common source in dogs. Puppies and kittens are more likely to ingest lead than adults.
Signs
Lead will accumulate in the body. Signs of poisoning will follow exposure in small amounts over months or a large amount ingested at one time. Lead poisoning affects various organs, especially the gastrointestinal system causing vomiting, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. The nervous system is more easily affected in puppies. Signs of nervous system damage include convulsions, hysteria, indiscriminate biting, ataxia, blindness, and tremors. The effects on bone marrow and kidneys cause anemia and kidney damage, respectively.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is usually suspected because of a history of exposure to lead sources and the animal’s signs/symptoms. Routine microscopic examination of red blood cells can support the tentative diagnosis. A definitive diagnosis is based on blood lead concentration. Radiographs (x-rays) of the digestive tract may disclose the lead source.
Treatment
If lead is visible on the radiographs of the digestive system it must be removed by cathartics (strong laxatives) or surgery before further treatment is administered. Blood lead concentration is reduced by treatment with binding drugs (chelators).
Prevention Measures Remove pets from older homes during remodeling or other areas where older paint may be chipping or peeling Keep pets from lead materials that could be easily swallowed such as fishing sinkers, plumbing materials, and Made in China toys or jewelry Ensure that ceramic food or water bowls have been properly glazed
For more information, contact your local veterinarian or the MU Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital
573-882-7821 or visit <http://www.vmth.missouri.edu/>
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