Q. With all the concern of lead exposure in people, how worried should I be for my dog?
A. This is a very good question. Since the Flint, Michigan water crisis years ago, the risk of lead in our water system has become a major concern. Historically in New England lead poisoning, especially in children, has been widely known. Because our houses are very old, lead paint is the prime concern. When buying a home, many buyers require the house to be tested for lead.
No level of lead is acceptable in people and companions. Children and puppies are more vulnerable to lead poisoning. Common exposure to lead is from paint dust and chips, old linoleum and tile, contamination from lead shot, lead sinkers, old lead pipes, toys, projectiles, and automobile lubricants, batteries, and oil to name a few. Dogs can become sick by breathing in lead dust and ingesting lead through contaminated water, food, and objects.
When your dog or puppy ingests lead, it is broken down by stomach acids into a form that is easily absorbed. This new form of lead moves through the blood stream to different organs causing damage in several important areas of the body.
Symptoms seen in acute ingestion of lead will be vomiting, diarrhea,
anorexia (not eating), abdominal pain, hyperexcitability, other behavior changes, ataxia, tremors and intermittent seizures. Chronic symptoms are mild abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, lethargy, weight loss, anemia, behavior changes, intermittent seizures, and megaesophagus.
To diagnose lead poisoning your veterinarian will take a thorough history, including questions on possible ingestion of foreign objects, home improvements, and diagnosis of lead in household children. The next step is a physical exam, and diagnostic tests. These tests will include blood work, looking for changes in your dog’s liver, kidneys, anemia and changes of the red blood cells. X-rays may show signs of ingested lead objects. From all this gathered information, your veterinarian will do another test for blood lead.
Once the diagnosis is made, treatment is started. First, any lead material in the gastrointestinal track needs to be removed. This can be done by making the pup vomit, inducing removal by enemas, and possible surgery for big objects with supportive treatment, such as, fluids, anti-convulsants, and balancing electrolytes. After the material is removed, medicine is given to bind with the lead in the body called chelating.
After treatment and your pup is stabilized, he will go home. Depending on the remaining symptoms he may need follow up appointments to ensure he remains symptom free or continues to improve. Most dogs recover in 1 to 2 days if treated quickly post exposure. Those with more severe symptoms may have permanent neurological damage. If exposure to a lead source occurs over a long time, lead reservoirs stored in bones cannot be treated with chelating agents and may need ongoing treatment.
Judith K. Herman, DVM, CVH
Animal Wellness Center
Augusta, Maine
www.mainehomeopahticvet.com
