Читать книгу Canine and Feline Epilepsy - Luisa De Risio - Страница 178

Haematology and serum biochemistry may reveal one or more of the following abnormalities: nucleated erythrocytes and basophilic stippling in red blood cells with no or mild anaemia, increased packed cell volume, leukocytosis, elevated hepatic enzymes, hyper-glycaemia and hypercholesterolaemia. Radiography may allow identification of metallic material in the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. golf balls or toys) or subcutaneously (e.g. pellets). Blood lead levels of 40 μg/dl or higher are considered diagnostic of lead poisoning (Morgan, 1994). However, blood lead concentration fluctuates and due to sequestration in other organs does not necessarily correlate with total body burden of lead or with clinical signs (Bratton and Kowalczyk, 1989; Knight and Kumar, 2003). If the blood lead values are in the high normal range and lead poisoning is suspected clinically, treatment followed by measurement of urine lead levels can be diagnostic. Electroencephalographic changes in non-sedated dogs are characterized by intermittent high-amplitude slow wave activity (Knecht et al., 1979). A post-mortem diagnosis can be made by analysing lead concentration in kidneys, liver, brain and bones (Knight and Kumar, 2003). Levels of 3.6 to 10 μg/g by wet weight of liver tissue are considered diagnostic of lead toxicosis (Bratton and Kowalczyk, 1989).