Abstract
BackgroundExpanding lead-based bullets, commonly used for hunting of big game, produce a scattering of lead particles in the carcass around the wound channel. Trimmings around this channel, which are sometimes fed to dogs, may contain lead particles. The aim of this study was to assess potential health effects of feeding dogs such trimmings.ResultsLead ingestion most commonly causes gastrointestinal and neurological clinical signs, although renal, skeletal, haematological, cardiovascular and biochemical effects have also been reported. Experimental data indicate that a daily dose of around 1 mg lead as lead acetate/kg body weight for ten days may be considered as a Lowest Observed Effect Level in dogs. Acute toxicity documentation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates 300 mg/kg body weight as the lowest dose of lead acetate causing death in dogs after oral ingestion. Our assessment suggests that dogs fed trimmings of lead-shot game may be affected by the amounts of lead present, and that even deadly exposure could occasionally occur. The intestinal absorption of lead from bullets was assumed to be 10–80 % of that of lead acetate, reflecting both the variability in particle size and uncertainty about the bioavailability of metallic lead in dogs.ConclusionsDespite data gaps, this study indicates that feeding dogs trimmings of lead-shot game may represent a risk of lead intoxication. More research is needed to assess the exact consequences, if lead-based bullets are still to be used. Meanwhile, we recommend that trimmings close to the wound channel should be made inaccessible to dogs, as well as to other domestic or wild animals.
Highlights
Expanding lead-based bullets, commonly used for hunting of big game, produce a scattering of lead particles in the carcass around the wound channel
A Lowest Observed Effect Level (LOEL) in dogs was determined based on published literature, which was reviewed in the hazard characterisation
Risk characterisation - Consequences of feeding dogs trimmings of lead-shot game In the first, deterministic, exposure assessment, we showed that hunting dogs could be exposed to lead acetate equivalent doses above 4 - 32 mg/kg bw per day, depending on the bioavailability of metallic lead, since trimmings may have lead concentrations above those found in meat intended for human consumption
Summary
Expanding lead-based bullets, commonly used for hunting of big game, produce a scattering of lead particles in the carcass around the wound channel. Trimmings around this channel, which are sometimes fed to dogs, may contain lead particles. Such bullets produce a scattering of lead particles in the carcass around the wound channel. Lead contaminated meat represents a route of exposure for humans with high game meat consumption. A positive correlation between game consumption and
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