An interesting case of lead toxicity in a Mallard duck

Abstract

"Forest Dump," an eight year old male mallard duck, presented to the Exotics Service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals on August 28, 2005 with a complaint of lethargy, anorexia and difficulty eating for one week. He was emaciated, severely anemic and moderately hypoproteinemic with a positive fecal occult blood. A presumptive diagnosis of lead toxicity was made based on blood concentration (33.3 ug/dL) and clinical signs. Chelation therapy with calcium EDTA and D-penicillamine was successful in reducing blood lead levels and alleviating clinical signs.