MERCURY poisoning; is uncommon in domestic animals. It has been reported in calves, cats, ferrets, guinea pigs, horses, mice, mink, pigs, rats and rarely in dogs (Farrar and others 1994). Mercury is a naturally occurring element that exists in elemental, organic and inorganic forms. Approximately 80 per cent of the mercury released into the environment is metallic mercury, which comes from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, mining, smelting, and incineration of solid waste. Human beings and animals can be exposed to mercury through breathing mercury vapour, consuming fungicide-treated grain, or as a result of the improper use or disposal of mercury and mercury-containing objects. Consumption of contaminated fish is by far the most important source of ingestion-related mercury exposure in human beings. The most consistent signs of mercury intoxication in mammals are anorexia, hypothermia, neurological and renal dysfunction, gastrointestinal signs and shock (Farrar and others 1994). Mercury poisoning in domestic animals is most commonly related to the accidental consumption of obsolete products containing mercury (Ensley 2004). This short communication describes a case of mercury poisoning in a young pet dog.
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