Lead toxicity in captive and wild Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in Spain.

Forty captive Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), of both sexes, were separated into five groups and dosed with lead shot via oral intubation; one group was used as a control. Lead dosage differed in terms of shot number and size, as well as administration time. One hundred and thirty-five wild mallards were trapped between 1998 and 2001 in the Boada and Nava lagoons near the Canal de Castilla, in the Spanish province of Palencia. Radiologic techniques (ventrodorsal and lateral views) were used to detect lead shot in the gizzard and to determine degradation in dosed birds over time. Heparinized blood samples were taken from wild and captive mallards and blood lead levels were determined using anodic stripping voltammetry with a dropping mercury electrode. Clinical signs, injuries, and body weight were recorded. In approximately 90% of the experimentally dosed mallards, administered shot stayed in their gizzard until it degraded; this took approximately 30 days. Peak lead levels in blood were observed between days 10 and 20, and 10 days following a repeat dosage; males were more sensitive than females to a repeat dosage. During the experimental phase, 34% of birds died, and those that survived had varying degrees of anorexia, lethargy, and a decreased response to external stimulus. Of 135 tested wild mallards, 41% had a blood lead concentration higher than 0.200 microg/g. Lead shot was found embedded in 3.6% of the wild birds and 1.2% had a lead shot pellet in their gizzard.

Transvenous coil embolisation for the treatment of single congenital portosystemic shunts in six dogs.

This article describes the treatment of single congenital portosystemic shunts (CPSs) (intrahepatic and extrahepatic) using an interventional radiology technique involving embolisation of anomalous vessels with percutaneous coils. Briefly, a multipurpose catheter was introduced into the caudal vena cava and then into the portosystemic shunt. An autoexpandable stent was placed in the caudal vena cava, next to the shunt, in order to avoid coil migrations, and a cobra-like vascular catheter was used to pass through the stent and to place the coils in the shunt. This technique was used for treatment of CPS in six dogs. The results indicate that percutaneous embolisation of a CPS using coils, a less invasive technique than the traditional surgical technique, may result in complete closure of the anomalous vessel without development of portal hypertension.