Addresses

• Main Authors: L. Molnar, J. Legath
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Falco peregrinus; Falco rusticolus
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.544.2137; http://nrl.uvm.sk/tox/publikacie/lead.pdf

Paper summarizing clinical experience with treating lead poisoning in hunting falcons used in Middle East falconry. In years 1999 and 2000 eighty-five falcons expected to be exposed to shotgun lead pellets were tested for lead poisoning. Tested falcons were saker falcons (Falco cherrug), peregrine falcons ( Falco peregrinus), gyr falcons (Falco rusticolus) and their captive bred hybrids. Positive cases were confirmed by 1) present of radiodense heavy metal particles in gastro-intestinal tract, 2) elevated whole blood lead (Pb) level, 3) inhibited delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity. Collected blood samples were analyzed in Dubai Central Veterinary Research Laboratory. 32 % of all tested falcons were negative on lead poisoning. 52 % were sub clinical cases with elevated whole blood Pb level or decreased ALAD activity. 16 % of the falcons had severe symptoms of lead poisoning. Radiogram only in seven falcons (8.5%) showed heavy metal particles in ventriculus. Very good treatment success was achieved with repeated (2-3 times) regime of 5 % CaEDTA (Calciumedetate), ANIMALCARE (35 mg/kg TID or 50 mg/kg BID) for 5 days. In very severe cases when ALAD activity was 100 % inhibited and blood Pb level exceeded 100 l/l, 80-100 mg/kg EDTA i.v. with 20 ml Lactated Ringers solution for 5 days markedly reduced the blood Pb level and the clinical symptoms. The falcons fully recovered and performed very well as a falconry birds.