After the previous entry on watermelons containing large amounts of heavy metals from wastewater usage for farming, I received an interesting email about a pet being poisoned by zinc. The source was a 1986 U.S. penny.
Readers should note that pennies minted after 1983 have 90+% zinc by weight. Pets can range from dogs, cats and even birds -as many cages have high levels of zinc. As an aside, human babies can also suffer from zinc toxicosis.
Proper and rapid treatment is crucial -or- it can lead to diarrhea, lethargy -tiredness, icterus -jaundice/yellowing pigment of the skin, shock, intravascular hemolysis, hemoglobinuria, cardiac arrhythmias -regular heart rhythm is disrupted, seizures and ultimately death.
A good source/guide for information as a general reference would be the Merck Veterinary Manual. Whether a blood transfusion (to dilute out the toxin) or a chelating agent is elected ... careful monitoring that zinc levels are decreasing with any treatment protocol is a necessary and suggested procedure. Pages enclosed:
要盡心, 盡性, 盡意, 盡力愛主你的神 和愛人如己(Luke 10:27 NIV Bible) Dr. Gordon & Yourself: Solutions Together http://www.gordonyourself.com. GY BLOG via AnD/google is the