Oral treatment of avian lead intoxication with meso-2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid

J Zoo Wildl Med. 2003 Mar;34(1):82-7. doi: 10.1638/1042-7260(2003)34[0082:OTOALI]2.0.CO;2.

Abstract

The efficacy of meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) (succimer) in treating avian lead intoxication was studied in a retrospective, nonrandomized, longitudinal study. Nineteen birds with moderate to high blood lead concentration and neurologic signs compatible with lead toxicity were treated with DMSA (30 mg/kg p.o., b.i.d.; n = 15) for a minimum of 7 days. In cases with severe neurologic signs, DMSA was supplemented with a single dose of edetate calcium disodium (<50.0 mg/kg of body weight i.m.; n = 4). Blood lead concentrations were measured two or more times (before and after treatment). Median blood lead concentration decreased (87%), neurologic signs were resolved, and there were no apparent adverse secondary effects.

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Animals, Zoo
  • Bird Diseases / chemically induced
  • Bird Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Birds
  • Chelating Agents / administration & dosage
  • Chelating Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Lead / blood
  • Lead Poisoning / drug therapy
  • Lead Poisoning / veterinary*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Regression Analysis
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Succimer / administration & dosage
  • Succimer / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Chelating Agents
  • Lead
  • Succimer