PARAMETERS OF LEAD-EXPOSURE AND CLINICOPATHOLOGY OF LEAD TOXICITY IN URBAN CATS

This study examined blood lead and urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid concentrations in clinically healthy cats residing in an urban environment. Previously accepted reference values for urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid in cats appear too low and a more realistic upper reference limit may be 87 mumol/l. However, a few clinically normal cats may have urinary delta-aminolevulinic acid concentrations above this value. The demographic and clinicopathological characteristics of 13 cats with lead toxicity are described. The most common clinical signs reported were anorexia (12/13 cats) and vomiting (6/13). Specific neurological abnormalities were not reported. It was concluded that the clinical signs of lead toxicity in cats are non-specific and non-localising.