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Intramuscular lead shot
PA G E 8
A D VA N C E S
tungsten-nickel-iron alloy, zinc-plated steel, lead, and steel. Skeletal muscle specimens were examined histologically and kidney specimens were tested for heavy metal. In vivo and in vitro evaluation of corrosion of metal was performed.
Results
INTRAMUSCULAR LEAD SHOT Background Dogs that are used to hunt birds are at risk for shotgun injury. Although the incidence of shotgun injury has not been quantified, shotgun pellets are routinely detected in bird-hunting dogs as an incidental finding during radiographic examinations. Shotgun pellets for hunting purposes were traditionally made of lead, but steel shot is now used for water birds due to the risk of birds ingesting wasted shot pellets and developing lead poisoning. Lead is still used for hunting upland birds. Lead causes minimal local reaction when embedded in tissues. A rapid fibrous response effectively isolates lead pellets. Surgical retrieval of embedded lead pellets is traumatic and unnecessary because they are not harmful, except for those located in a synovial joint which will induce substantial arthritis and systemic lead toxicosis. Steel shot is susceptible to corrosion which can lead to inflammation. Alternative metals to lead and steel are being sought for pellet manufacture that might have less environmental impact than lead and less risk of tissue inflammation than steel if embedded in tissue.
Objectives To evaluate the local and systemic effects of IM implantation of lead shot alternatives in rats.
Procedure Sterile IM implantation of 8 shot metals was performed on 22 laboratory rats, with euthanasia and necropsy at 2, 8, 16, and 26 weeks after implantation. Test materials were bismuth-tin alloy, nickel-plated steel, tungsten polymer, tungsten-iron alloy,
Corrosion of susceptible metals was greatest at 2 weeks both in vivo and in vitro. Inflammation was also greatest 2 weeks after pellet implantation. Nickel-plated steel caused significantly greater inflammation at 2 weeks, compared with bismuth alloy. All iron containing pellets corroded into local tissues, and kidney iron concentration was significantly greater at 26 weeks, compared with other test periods. Renal arsenic concentration was significantly greater at 8, 16, and 26 weeks after implantation, compared with 2 weeks.
Author Conclusion Dogs wounded with nickel-plated steel may require more aggressive initial monitoring than those wounded with other shot types. Monitoring of serum arsenic concentrations may be indicated in patients wounded with shotgun pellets.
Inclusions Three figures, 2 tables, 31 references
Editor Annotation Small metallic foreign bodies identified in tissues have usually been ignored and considered relatively nonreactive and harmless. Surgical retrieval of gunshot pellets has been reserved for those in joints, associated with draining tracts or interfering with function. However, we have learned that metals containing zinc that are exposed to an acidic environment, such as the stomach, may lead to associated toxicities. Nickel-plated steel can elicit a significant inflammatory response and may require surgical removal regardless of its tissue location. In addition, arsenic is associated with lead, bismuth, and tungsten mining or alloy production. Serum arsenic concentration should be monitored in dogs with imbedded shotgun pellets. (CSH) Hoots EA, Renberg WC, Patton KM, et al. Evaluation of local and systemic effects after intramuscular implantation of lead shot alternatives in rats. Am J Vet Res 2007;68:446-452.
Journals Monitored • American Journal of Veterinary Research • Australian Veterinary Journal • Australian Veterinary Practitioner • Avian Diseases • British Veterinary Journal • Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research • Canadian Veterinary Journal • Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery • Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association • Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association • Journal of Small Animal Practice • Journal of Small Exotic Animal Medicine • Journal of Veterinary Dentistry • Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine • Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics • Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine • New Zealand Veterinary Journal • Research in Veterinary Science • Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology • Veterinary Dermatology • Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology • Veterinary Pathology • Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound • Veterinary Record • Veterinary Research Communications • Veterinary Surgery • ...and more than 20 others
A D VA N C E S
tungsten-nickel-iron alloy, zinc-plated steel, lead, and steel. Skeletal muscle specimens were examined histologically and kidney specimens were tested for heavy metal. In vivo and in vitro evaluation of corrosion of metal was performed.
Results
INTRAMUSCULAR LEAD SHOT Background Dogs that are used to hunt birds are at risk for shotgun injury. Although the incidence of shotgun injury has not been quantified, shotgun pellets are routinely detected in bird-hunting dogs as an incidental finding during radiographic examinations. Shotgun pellets for hunting purposes were traditionally made of lead, but steel shot is now used for water birds due to the risk of birds ingesting wasted shot pellets and developing lead poisoning. Lead is still used for hunting upland birds. Lead causes minimal local reaction when embedded in tissues. A rapid fibrous response effectively isolates lead pellets. Surgical retrieval of embedded lead pellets is traumatic and unnecessary because they are not harmful, except for those located in a synovial joint which will induce substantial arthritis and systemic lead toxicosis. Steel shot is susceptible to corrosion which can lead to inflammation. Alternative metals to lead and steel are being sought for pellet manufacture that might have less environmental impact than lead and less risk of tissue inflammation than steel if embedded in tissue.
Objectives To evaluate the local and systemic effects of IM implantation of lead shot alternatives in rats.
Procedure Sterile IM implantation of 8 shot metals was performed on 22 laboratory rats, with euthanasia and necropsy at 2, 8, 16, and 26 weeks after implantation. Test materials were bismuth-tin alloy, nickel-plated steel, tungsten polymer, tungsten-iron alloy,
Corrosion of susceptible metals was greatest at 2 weeks both in vivo and in vitro. Inflammation was also greatest 2 weeks after pellet implantation. Nickel-plated steel caused significantly greater inflammation at 2 weeks, compared with bismuth alloy. All iron containing pellets corroded into local tissues, and kidney iron concentration was significantly greater at 26 weeks, compared with other test periods. Renal arsenic concentration was significantly greater at 8, 16, and 26 weeks after implantation, compared with 2 weeks.
Author Conclusion Dogs wounded with nickel-plated steel may require more aggressive initial monitoring than those wounded with other shot types. Monitoring of serum arsenic concentrations may be indicated in patients wounded with shotgun pellets.
Inclusions Three figures, 2 tables, 31 references
Editor Annotation Small metallic foreign bodies identified in tissues have usually been ignored and considered relatively nonreactive and harmless. Surgical retrieval of gunshot pellets has been reserved for those in joints, associated with draining tracts or interfering with function. However, we have learned that metals containing zinc that are exposed to an acidic environment, such as the stomach, may lead to associated toxicities. Nickel-plated steel can elicit a significant inflammatory response and may require surgical removal regardless of its tissue location. In addition, arsenic is associated with lead, bismuth, and tungsten mining or alloy production. Serum arsenic concentration should be monitored in dogs with imbedded shotgun pellets. (CSH) Hoots EA, Renberg WC, Patton KM, et al. Evaluation of local and systemic effects after intramuscular implantation of lead shot alternatives in rats. Am J Vet Res 2007;68:446-452.
Journals Monitored • American Journal of Veterinary Research • Australian Veterinary Journal • Australian Veterinary Practitioner • Avian Diseases • British Veterinary Journal • Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research • Canadian Veterinary Journal • Journal of Avian Medicine and Surgery • Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association • Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association • Journal of Small Animal Practice • Journal of Small Exotic Animal Medicine • Journal of Veterinary Dentistry • Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine • Journal of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics • Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine • New Zealand Veterinary Journal • Research in Veterinary Science • Veterinary and Comparative Orthopaedics and Traumatology • Veterinary Dermatology • Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology • Veterinary Pathology • Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound • Veterinary Record • Veterinary Research Communications • Veterinary Surgery • ...and more than 20 others