Archive Case #71: Avian Lead Toxicosis

Clinical Clues

1. A pet bird is presented for weakness, regurgitation, and intermittent neurologic signs.
2. The owner reports that it regularly chews on cage fittings and bits of household hardware.
3. The bird is quiet and occasionally shows tremors.
4. Radiographs reveal multiple dense foreign opacities within the gastrointestinal tract.
5. Whole-blood testing confirms a markedly increased lead concentration.
6. Ingestion of lead-containing metal commonly causes gastrointestinal and neurologic disease in companion birds.

Diagnosis

Avian Lead Toxicosis

This case is most consistent with Avian Lead Toxicosis because the bird has gastrointestinal and neurologic signs, metallic densities on radiographs, and a confirmed high blood lead concentration. The exposure history, imaging, and lead-specific laboratory result distinguish it from zinc toxicosis and infectious disease.

Educational Use

Vetdle archive cases are educational veterinary games for diagnostic reasoning practice. They do not provide veterinary advice, diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical guidance.