Mute Swan Lead Poisoning Treatment and Endoscopic Foreign Body Removal for Long Island Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic

Case Study #35: Mute Swan Lead Poisoning (Endoscopy)

Patient: Mute Swan (Adult) Location: Long Island, NY

Mute Swan Lead Poisoning Treatment and Endoscopic Foreign Body Removal for Long Island Patient at Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic

Lead poisoning is a devastating and all-too-common condition in waterfowl around Long Island. Swans, geese, and ducks often swallow lead fishing sinkers and hooks, often mistaking them for small fish, seeds, insects, or aquatic invertebrates. Baited hooks smell and look like real food, making them especially tempting. Once in the body, the lead breaks down and absorbs into the bloodstream, causing severe heavy metal toxicity.

An adult Mute Swan was brought to Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic by a wildlife rescue team. She was found near a lake, lethargic, ataxic, and weak. Time was of the essence. Waterfowl will often hide their symptoms for as long as possible so as not to seem vulnerable to predators. Once symptoms are observed, the issue has likely been going on for a lot longer than one may think.

The Diagnosis: X-Ray Confirmation The patient was weak but stable. We immediately performed Radiographs (X-rays).

• The Findings: The X-ray clearly showed a metallic hook and several small, round lead sinkers stuck in the esophagus.

• Bloodwork: Confirmed markedly elevated lead levels. The swan was suffering from acute heavy metal toxicity.

The Treatment: Endoscopic Retrieval (No Cutting Required) We utilized Flexible Video Endoscopy to visualize the objects and remove them.

1. The Procedure The patient was anesthetized and intubated. We passed a long, flexible camera down her esophagus.

• Visualization: We could see the hook and sinkers clearly on the monitor.

• Retrieval: Using a specialized grasping tool passed through the scope, we grabbed the hook and the sinkers one by one and pulled them out through the mouth.

• The Benefit: No incisions, no sutures, and no surgical pain.

2. Chelation Therapy Removing the lead is only step one. We also had to remove the lead that was already in her blood. We started the patient on Chelation Therapy (using a drug called Calcium EDTA), which binds to the lead in the blood and allows the kidneys to excrete it safely.

Recovery: A Second Chance The patient showed steady improvement. The neurological symptoms (weakness, unsteadiness) faded as the lead levels dropped. She began eating on her own and regained her strength.

She was returned to the wildlife rehabber for final conditioning before being released back to her lake in Long Island, free of metal and poison.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the signs of lead poisoning in birds? Signs include weakness (drooping wings), inability to fly or walk, green watery diarrhea, tremors, and seizures. If you see a swan acting "drunk" or unable to hold its head up, it could have lead poisoning.

How do birds get lead poisoning? Wild birds can develop lead poisoning when they ingest materials that contain lead, often accidentally while foraging for food. Common sources include small pieces of metal found on streets or other outdoor environments. Wild birds may also ingest lead-laced soil, particularly in areas near older buildings, roads, or industrial sites where environmental lead contamination is more likely. Fishing hooks and lead fishing weights pose an additional risk when birds mistake them for food or grit near waterways. Once ingested, lead can cause serious illness affecting the nervous system, digestive tract, and overall health, and even small amounts can be fatal.

What is Endoscopy? It is a technology that uses a camera on a tube to see inside the body. It allows us to remove foreign objects from within the body without surgery. It is safer, faster, and less painful than invasive surgery.

Do you treat wild swans? Yes. We partner with local wildlife groups to treat injured swans, ducks, and geese. We provide the medical and surgical expertise needed to get them back into the wild. We do not accept wildlife from the public. If you find an injured wild animal, please refer to our website for local wildlife rescue groups and rehabbers that can assist you.

Contact Long Island Bird & Exotics Veterinary Clinic: Website: https://www.birdexoticsvet.com/ Phone: (516) 482-1101