Polyacrylamide gel ingestion leading to fatal intestinal obstruction in two birds in a zoological collection.
Two birds from a zoological collection suffered fatal intestinal obstruction after each ingested single particles of polyacrylamide gel. Polyacrylamide gel, used in soils for gardening and agriculture, exists as small granules in the dehydrated state but expands markedly upon exposure to water. Polyacrylamide gel might, therefore, be an unrecognized hazard for captive and wild birds and other small animals if consumed.
Miami Metrozoo, 12400 SW 152 Street, Miami, FL 33177, USA.
Christine L
CL
Miller
Karyn L
KL
Bischoff
Brent
B
Hoff
D000180:Acrylic Resins / Q000633:toxicity*; D000818:Animals; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001717:Birds; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D005430:Floors and Floorcoverings; D005547:Foreign Bodies; D006799:Housing, Animal; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000662:veterinary*
D000180:Acrylic Resins; C016680:polyacrylamide gels