Lead poisoning isn’t very common today. When I graduated from veterinary school, it wasn’t unusual to see cases of lead poisoning. The most common source of lead exposure was lead-based paints. Homes built before the 1950s are most likely to contain lead paint, however, lead-based paints were used up until 1978 when their use was banned by Congress.
After graduation, I practiced in an urban animal hospital. Cases of lead poisoning were most commonly seen in puppies and young dogs living in older homes and apartment buildings due to the dogs’ proclivity to chew on wood trim, doors, or actual flaking paint chips.
Lead poisoning in cats was much less common as cats are more discriminateing about what they put in their mouths. Cats are most often exposed to lead in an old building that is being updated. This occurs when dust particles generated by sanding accumulate on the cat and are subsequently ingested by self-grooming or are inhaled.
Symptoms typically include loss of appetite, vomiting and diarrhea, muscle spasms, and incoordination. Also cats may become aggressive, have seizures, and become blind.
When lead poisoning is diagnosed, treatment is initiated by using chelating medication. Chelating agents work by binding to the lead and are then eliminated via the urinary system.
One morning, many years ago, our receptionist, Donna, informed us that a young cat belonging to one of our clients, Elisabeth Hamilton, was being rushed to the hospital because it was having seizures. Ms. Hamilton was and still is a very attractive, tall blonde of Scandinavian descent. She flew in the door with her six-month-old cat named Helmüt. She reported no exposure to toxic agents that she knew of, and said that Helmüt was fine except for lethargy yesterday and seizures today. As an aside, she mentioned that the house she lived in (a Federal house built in the 1800s) was undergoing extensive renovations. A tentative diagnosis of lead poisoning was made pending blood tests, Helmüt was treated accordingly, and he made a complete recovery. Also, Elisabeth Hamilton is now my wife, Elisabeth Karotkin.
East Bare Hill Road resident Fred Karotkin is a veterinarian.
