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Severe Lead Toxicosis in a Lionhead Rabbit
Kristen M Walter1, Karyn Bischoff2,3, Ricardo de Matos4
1College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USA.
Introduction:
Lead toxicosis occurs in veterinary patients, with few reports involving rabbits, and no previous reports using oral calcium disodium EDTA.
Case Report:
A 7-year-old male castrated Lionhead rabbit presented to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) for evaluation after a 2-day history of lethargy and a 2-week history of hyporexia. The patient had been observed pulling paint from the walls of the home, a house built circa 1900, in the months prior to presentation. The patient was moderately anemic with a hematocrit of 21% with red blood cell morphological changes consistent with lead toxicosis, including basophilic stippling, nucleated red blood cells, and polychromasia. Radiographic images of the abdomen revealed excessive accumulation of gas in the gastrointestinal tract in a pattern consistent with gastric stasis and numerous small mineral to metallic opacities in the cecum. The blood lead concentration was 792 μg/dL, confirming the diagnosis of lead toxicosis with secondary gastrointestinal stasis. The rabbit was hospitalized for treatment with oral and subcutaneous calcium disodium EDTA for 4 days and then discharged home to the care of the owners.
Discussion:
Severe lead toxicosis in a rabbit can be treated successfully with oral and subcutaneous calcium disodium EDTA and aggressive supportive treatment.
