Jensen WI, Allen JP. Zinc toxicosis occurs somewhat often in domestic and wild waterfowl, such as ducks.

Lead is a common household hazard for birds. Signs of intoxication resembled those of botulism, except for mucoid, blood-tinged excreta.

Naturally occurring and experimentally induced castor bean (Ricinus communis) poisoning in ducks. Lead causes heavy metal toxicity, affecting the blood, nervous system and gastrointestinal system. Ducks are generally hardy birds that can remain healthy when all of their dietary and exercise needs are met.

Presentation. In domestic ducks, it is most often the result of ducks eating small and shiny metal objects containing zinc. Waterfowl: Loons, swans, geese, and ducks not only suffer from lead poisoning if they are shot with lead ammunition but lost or discarded fishing tackle can be inadvertently consumed and lead to poisoning. Affected birds typically show a combination of neurological signs (e.g. These birds can develop duck respiratory problems and other duck diseases. Adult mallard ducks were administered steel pellets to determine the rate of excretion from the gastrointestinal tract. To tell if you have a sick duck, learn the behavior of healthy ducks and then learn some symptoms of duck diseases. Lead poisoning can be fatal if not treated. Due to the curious, explorative nature, house birds can be exposed to lead around the house (compared to wild birds which are frequently poisoned by lead sinkers or by being shot with lead bullets). Keeping ducks healthy requires taking the necessary steps to prevent disease outbreaks from occurring in the first place, and in cases where ducks do become infected, administering appropriate treatment to minimize mortality and morbidity. The water sources these birds rely on can also be severely contaminated by large scale lead pollution, such as pesticide runoff or paint or fuel spills. from lead light, pre-World War II paints, toys or lead weights) . Lead is considered to be the most commonly reported of avian toxicosis in both captive and free-ranging birds. Clemens ET, Krook L, Aronson AL, Stevens CE. Signs of poisoning don't happen right away. Pathogenesis of lead shot poisoning in the mallard duck. Initial signs are related to internal bleeding so they are often vague, and may include weakness, lethargy, and decrease or loss in appetite. Castor bean (Ricinus communis) poisoning accounted for the death of several thousand ducks in the Texas panhandle in the fall and winter months of 1969-1971. The following guidelines were developed with large flocks of ducks in mind, but they also apply to small flocks. 4 Waterfowl and raptors more commonly ingest lead shot (in prey or fishing gear) which leads to acute poisoning. In separate studies the ducks were administered 5 number 6 lead pellets. In wild ducks, it is usually caused by an environmental spill or purposeful dumping of heavy metal into natural water bodies such as lakes, streams, rivers, detention ponds, etc. The most common poisoning seen in birds at our Bird-vet -clinic is heavy metal toxicity caused by the consumption of zinc (e.g. The chicken may also be found dead, without clinical signs developing. It will take generally 3 to 7 days for clinical signs to appear in chickens, post ingestion of the poison.

from nibbling newly galvanized aviary wire or costume jewelry or lead (e.g.