[Fwd: Birdmed: Organochlorine alert]

Edward Jendrek (aj97@bellatlantic.net)
Thu, 01 Apr 1999 12:42:35 +0000 

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Hi Y'all

I got this yesterday off of my bird medicine listserv.  Since it
involves wild birds, I thought you guys should see it.  If you see any
birds with any of these signs, drop me a line.

Brian Monk, DVM
Bel Air MD

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Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 09:13:14 EST
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Subject: Birdmed: Organochlorine alert
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birdmed@numbat.murdoch.edu.au
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Dear List Members:
There is currently an organochlorine toxicity problem, originating in Florida.
It is also a serious litigation problem, with the US government Fish and
Wildlife involved, so I have permission to release the general information,
but that is all for now.  It is important to get this out, since the affected
birds are migratory, and it is likely that the more northern east coast of the
US, up to Canada, may be affected.
The predominant species involved are white pelicans, egrets (mostly great
white) and great blue herons.  Coots, Anseriforms, and cormorants do not seem
to be affected.
The initial presentation of the acute intoxication is neurologic.  It differs
markedly from botulism.  The general weakness, paresis, etc., are exhibited
with ataxia to total inability to ambulate, head "swaying," with no nystagmus,
a progression to intermittent full-blown seizure activity.  It is non-
responsive to atropine, although the intermittency of the seizures can be
misleading, causing the belief that the atropine has been effective.  Although
botulism may be identified in the carcasses of affected birds, this is a post-
mortem pathogen, and not the cause of death.  Having seen over 6,700 birds
affected with botulism several years ago, the difference is marked.  
Treatment is unsuccessful in a majority of these acute cases.  Even though
phenobarbital IV (and later orally), diazepam, will control the seizures, most
birds die within the first few days.  Even those that have been supported
extensivley for weeks, and are eating on their own, are showing serum
chemistry changes of uric acid elevation, hepatiocellular damage, and elevated
potassium.  Several of these birds seemed clinically "recovered," then went
back downhill within a week of being out in the pens. We have limited necropsy
and histopath data, due to the legal matter.  However, renal necrosis seems to
be a prevalent finding.  I wish I had more information to share on this front,
and hopefully will in the near future.
It is also likely that, besides seeing less acutely affected birds, we will be
seeing problems with egg shell integrity, and decreased fertility in the
coming years in affected species.  The potential extent of this problem is
frightening to contemplate.
Teresa

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