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by animules on 31 October 2007 - 13:10
I do hope you, your family, and the dogs are all okay. But what the heck was he doing with any amount, much less that large amount, of mercury?
by Silverbolt Prime on 31 October 2007 - 13:10
*raises a hand* Yet another one who played with Mercury. I survived it, and don't seem to have suffered ill from it.
I agree with Bob-O, the very nature of mercury would be hard for the little guys to lap up. The trouble with mercury is that its effects can be varied. Since it is a heavy metal, it's harder to process through the body. Keeping the kidneys / liver functioning will be essential. Cranberry juice is good for promoting kidney function. I've never heard of using beer or wine -- Abhay, I'd like to hear more about this, you've got me curious.
To illustrate the variable In the 1700 - 1800s, mercury was deliberately ingested to cure all manner of things. This 'wonderful' invention was a massive pill called a Thunderclapper. It was essentially mercury in a capsule, taken orally. Lewis of Lewis and Clark took the things daily for the same reason that people today take full body cleansers. They consumed levels far and above what is currently considered leathal exposure, and they did it daily.
Good luck and best wishes for all of you, especially with the EPA. You'll be in our thoughts and prayers.
- Silver
by Abhay on 31 October 2007 - 14:10
Silverbolt, beer, wine and other alcohols, have saved the lives of many dogs who have drank Antifreeze. The alcohol ties up the ethylene glycol, and other toxins so they don't precipitate into the kidneys.
In Shandra's post she states it is 12:30 am. She also states the Vet is closed and that she is flat broke. Under the circumstances, it sounded like her only options were to wait and do nothing until the Vet opened, or try to do something with what she might have on hand. I'm not there, so I don't know what her situation is. I was trying to think of something that might help ASAP.
by hodie on 31 October 2007 - 15:10
by Blitzen on 31 October 2007 - 15:10
I used to work with hazardous materials and as far as I can recall, mercury is only hazardous to humans if it is inhaled as a vapor or if it's ingested or absorbed over a period of time. This would of course depend on the quantity ingested initially. Unfortuantely the results of ingesting mercury may not show up for several months in humans. There may or may not be statistics available for animals that ingest mercury one time. I'd be surprised if any of the pups managed to swallow any of it, but if they did it may come out in the same form it entered not remaining inside the gut long enough to cause any ill effects. Just speculation, I don't know that for sure. I'd agree with Louise, induce vomiting when a dog eats anything that could cause a blockage or other harm. It's not appropriate for some poisons though, caustics for example, so it's a good idea to keep the number for the animal poison control hotline close by. Maybe Louise can recommend what would be needed to prepare an emergcny kit to use in the event a dog eats something they should not. Nothing worse that trying to drive around finding an open drug stor in the middle of the night when most things like this happen. That might even be a nice fund raiser for dog clubs?
The reportable quantity for a mercury spill is one pound which is not a whole lot of that material since it is very dense. This means if one spills more than one pound it must be reported to EPA and the clean up monitored by one of their agents. Mercury is usually suctioned or vaccumed into approved containers.
Having been in this businees for many years, I think too much is often made of hazardous materials and hazardous waste spills, but we must still conform with the law when an accident happens. Shandra's home owners policy should pay for this incident.
by Blitzen on 31 October 2007 - 16:10
Since Shandra has contacted EPA, I assume they will take charge now and evacuate and decon as necessary.
.
by MVF on 31 October 2007 - 17:10
This is a value judgment, but in my opinion you need to focus on your own health and the health of your family. Make sure everyone is being observed by medical professionals. Skin contact and breathing are both risky.
Second, these are the symptoms to look for in the pups. If you see them, you will probably have to euthanize:
1. severe discoloration of skin (watch mouth, gums, bellies).
2. itching, burning and pain
3. profuse sweating through foot pads
4. hair, tooth loss or claws falling out
Even if an truly exposed pup survives, there may be neurological consequences later. For example, the myelin sheath may be compromised. Many gsds have degenerative myelopathy, but this may hasten it.
A pup with little exposure may be fine. Merely being in the room with mercury id not necessarily a problem. This should give you some hope.
by Shandra on 31 October 2007 - 17:10
I appreciate the advice
Here is an update.
The EPA officer just called me and informed me that I am not allowed to go home, it has been taped off and a deputy is posted to prevent my return. I am not allowed to remove anything, clothes or animals. I cannot go make sure they have food and water, I cannot take them anywhere. My house will have to be cleaned by the EPA and HazMat crews at a cost of between 30-50 k before I can return to the home. There is a good chance that they will euthanize all of my dogs, I am contacting the director of the Zoonosis division for the state of texas and see if that can be prevented. EPA is contacting the school district that I drive for since I drove the bus this morning, I am not sure where it will go from there. This is a small town with no expertise in situations like this so they are conducting a blanket affect to cover their own ass.
The only reason I am broke at the moment is I just paid all the bills for home and business and it has been slow the last couple of weeks due to the cold front that came thru, This is not a usual circumstance with me, thats why I work 2 jobs.
Therese
by hodie on 31 October 2007 - 17:10
by Shandra on 31 October 2007 - 18:10
Hodie, thank you so much for your words of wisdom. I have called the Animal Poison control and they are checking on things for me, She said absolutely the dogs should not be a danger of contamination but she is talking with others to make sure. She went thru the records to see if there was anything similar and all they have had are themometer incidence which when injested isnt really an issue because it is very small amounts and it is not organic? I dont know the first thing about any of this. All I know is I cannot go home, which I worked my butt off for, paid every payment myself for 10 years.....I have no clothing... these things are not really a big deal, they are replaceable, My Goldie isnt. Cold as it may sound, if given a choice to save only 1 it would be goldie, she has been with me thru alot....... I am not able to go home to check on them make sure they have food and water or anything. TG They are not crated. The outside dogs will be ok, the pups are divided off into the kitchen with a doggie door, but no way to get to water if theirs runs out, Goldie and skeeter are in the main house with water but no food. I over slept for work this morning and made a mad dash out the door without stopping.
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