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1 January 2005 Lead Poisoning in Whooper and Tundra Swans
Tetsuya Nakade, Yoshihiro Tomura, Kazuo Jin, Hiroyuki Taniyama, Mutsuki Yamamoto, Aya Kikkawa, Kunitaro Miyagi, Eiji Uchida, Mitsuhiko Asakawa, Takeshi Mukai, Masahiko Shirasawa, Mamoru Yamaguchi
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Abstract

Six weak whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus) and two weak tundra swans (Cygnus columbianus) were found at Swamp Miyajima (Hokkaido, Japan) in May 1998. Anorexia, depression, green watery feces, pale conjunctiva, and anemia were observed. Radiographs showed from six to 38 suspected lead pellets in the gizzard. Blood lead concentrations were 2.5–6.7 μg/g (mean±SD=4.6±1.14 μg/g) on day 1. After blood collection, the birds were treated with calcium disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (CaEDTA) given intravenously and force fed. Despite treatment, seven birds died the next day. Green, bile-stained livers and pale or green kidneys were observed on necropsy. Microscopically, bile pigment was widespread in the liver and acid-fast intranuclear inclusion bodies were observed in renal tubular epithelium. Lead concentrations in livers and kidneys were 14.0–30.4 μg/g and 30.2–122 μg/g wet weight, respectively. Only one bird survived and this whooper swan continued to be treated with CaEDTA and activated charcoal. No lead shot was observed in the proventriculus and gizzard by radiography on day 64 and the blood lead concentration decreased from 2.9 μg/g to 0.09 μg/g during that same period. After 4 mo of rehabilitation, the whooper swan was returned to the wild. Lead intoxication continues to be a problem at Swamp Miyajima.

Nakade, Tomura, Jin, Taniyama, Yamamoto, Kikkawa, Miyagi, Uchida, Asakawa, Mukai, Shirasawa, and Yamaguchi: Lead Poisoning in Whooper and Tundra Swans
Tetsuya Nakade, Yoshihiro Tomura, Kazuo Jin, Hiroyuki Taniyama, Mutsuki Yamamoto, Aya Kikkawa, Kunitaro Miyagi, Eiji Uchida, Mitsuhiko Asakawa, Takeshi Mukai, Masahiko Shirasawa, and Mamoru Yamaguchi "Lead Poisoning in Whooper and Tundra Swans," Journal of Wildlife Diseases 41(1), 253-256, (1 January 2005). https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-41.1.253
Received: 12 January 2003; Published: 1 January 2005
KEYWORDS
Cygnus columbianus
Cygnus cygnus
lead poisoning
lead shot
rehabilitation
Swamp Miyajima
tundra swan
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