Lead exposure in dogs fed game meat and offal from culled invasive species in El Palmar National Park, Argentina

This is the first field study to evaluate lead exposure in dogs fed game meat and offal and, to our knowledge, the first study exploring associations between game consumption and dog health status. We quantified lead concentrations in blood and hair and haematological parameters of 31 dogs fed game meat and offal from wild boar (Sus scrofa) and axis deer (Axis axis) culled with lead ammunition in El Palmar National Park, Argentina. Despite variable weekly frequency in game consumption, dogs had detectable blood and hair lead levels, demonstrating recent and chronic exposure. Lead geometric mean and SD were 18.91 ± 346.85 μg/dL w.w. in blood (range = 0.53–216.58), and 0.721 ± 6.444 μg/gr d.w. in hair (range = 0.007–34.800). Hair lead levels were relatively low in most samples, except for the oldest dog which had an atypically high value concurrent with anaemia, a common outcome of chronic lead exposure. Dog’s owner was significantly predictive of both blood and hair lead levels, which reflects the same feeding patterns for all dogs owned by the same person. Body condition was associated with hair lead, with dogs in good condition presenting higher lead levels. This could be related to greater game consumption by those dogs, resulting in higher lead ingestion. Dogs fed game meat and offal at very low or low frequency (≤4 times per week) showed higher blood lead levels, suggesting there might not be a risk-free frequency for game provision to dogs. Considering the risks of dietary lead exposure, avoiding feeding dogs lead-killed game and replacing lead ammunition with non-toxic alternatives are recommended. This would allow using hunted game as a valuable food resource without unnecessary risk for the health of consumers and the environment.

Fil: Fernández, Valentina. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina

Fil: Caselli, Elsa Andrea. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina

Fil: Tammone Santos, Agostina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tandil. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comision de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación Veterinaria de Tandil; Argentina

Fil: Condorí, Walter Ezequiel. Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires; Argentina

Fil: Vanstreels, Ralph Eric Thijl. University of California at Davis; Estados Unidos

Fil: Delaloye, Aldo. Administración de Parques Nacionales; Argentina

Fil: Sosa, Cristian. Administración de Parques Nacionales; Argentina

Fil: Uhart, Marcela María. University of California at Davis; Estados Unidos