2024-07-16 12:45:49
Birds of prey and scavengers may be exposed to veterinary drugs, especially processed carcasses of animals (usually ruminants or equids):
Placed in a feeding area for scavenging birds; left in a field because it could not be rendered or the carcass was discovered late. This may occur with certain types of livestock farming conducted on large pastures or in mountainous areas where access to plots is difficult.
Flunixin, carprofen and ketoprofen, anti-inflammatory drugs toxic to birds
There have been several cases of vulture deaths in Italy after ingesting meat contaminated with flunixin, an anti-inflammatory drug contained in several veterinary medicines approved across Europe. Scientific publications have also confirmed the toxicity of this active ingredient to wild vultures. Against this background, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) concluded that it is necessary to add a precautionary note to the labeling of all flunixin meglumine-based medicines. If the treated animal is at high risk of dying before the end of the drug elimination period and the carcass cannot be collected by rendering, the ANMV recommends that veterinariansAvoid taking flunixins.
The recommendation has been extended Contains carprofen and ketoprofen, some publications also mention the possible toxicity of these active ingredients to vultures. ANMV recommendations Using less toxic anti-inflammatory drugs for wild birdssuch as meloxicam.
Pentobarbital, a very persistent barbiturate
Incidents of poisoning of wild birds – vultures, red kites, white storks, bearded vultures, etc. – have been documented European Pharmacovigilance Attributed to possible consumption of carcasses of animals euthanized with pentobarbital.
New pharmacovigilance data prompt ANMV to communicate with veterinarians, keepers and animal owners about the risk of secondary poisoning when carcasses of animals euthanized with pentobarbital are not removed quickly. The risk is exacerbated by the stability of the molecule, which can persist in the tissues of euthanized animals for months.
Pets are also affected
Wild birds are not the only animals affected by these accidental poisonings. Many secondary poisoning incidents have also been reported farm dog The carcass or blood of a euthanized animal has been ingested and neurological symptoms have been reported, possibly leading to coma and death.
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