Normal Blood Concentrations for Lead, Zinc, Iron, and Copper in Hispaniolan Amazons (Amazona ventralis)

摘要

Metal toxicity is a major concern in avian medicine for both wild and captive avian populations. Historically, lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and copper (Cu) are the metals that appear to have the greatest clinical impact on these avian populations.For example, Pb and Zn toxicities are commonly recognized causes of illness in pet psittacine birds, birds in zoological collections, and waterfowl. Lead toxicity is believed to be the cause of death of over 1.6 to 2.4 million ducks annually due to ingestion of Pb shot. Iron overload syndrome has been diagnosed and found to be a cause of death in numerous species of captive birds. Although Cu toxicity has been largely ignored as a possible cause of toxicosis in captive avian populations, it has been identified as the source of illness in waterfowl and poultry.