Hithere! bara the Companion Animal Program Manager for MDARD. Tanicities in animals are reportable to our agency
and we investigate the cases to attempt to determine from where the toxic substance is coming in order ta srotect
animal health.
i contacted the owner of “Duke,” Mir. Adam Murphy, via phone on October 22, 2045 anc he stated at the time that
“Duke” does not have a history of eating foreign objects. | inquired inte if “Duke” could have specifically eaten any of
the following conmunon sources of lead pcisoning in animals: paint chios, paint or painted walls, fishing sinkers,
batteries, as well as if he could have eaten or drank from painted bowls to which Mr. Murphy states that “Duke” did
not We are still interested in determining the following:
-What exactly is “Duke” fed (if fed a commercial diet/treats, name of product, as well as the lot number of the praduct if
has}.
-How is “Duke’s” food stored (could they be storing the food in something that could contains lead}?
-Does “Duke” have a history of contact with [swimming in, drinking} other water sources, lakes, rivers, etc. besides the
water received through the outside faucet such as pands? ifse, where and when?
-Has “Duke” traveled anywhere over the last few months and if so, where?
-When and frora where was “Duke” first acquired by the Murphys?
-Evaluating the environment to look for the presence of lead containing material to which the dog may have access fe.g.
old paint/paint chips, golf balis, linoleum {esp. if broken}, drapery weights, putty, solder, etc.)
My understanding is that the currart plan is for you to conduct an environment assessment, including sampling the
water due to the owner's concerris over possible lead in the water supplied te the home. You may already routinely
inquire inte the above as part of a routine assessment, but since multiple agencies are involved and the current plan is
to try to lirnit the number of contacts to the family to avoid overwhelming them or having people potentially asking the
same questions (i.e. lust have an inspector from MOHHS go outh, we just wish to make sure our concerns are alse being
looked at. We are just trying to rule aut all possible sources of lead to help the family and other animals. Thanks and
please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that you may have.
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Also, in case you are unaware, | noted to Mr. Murphy during the above referenced call that MDARD has offered to cover
the testing costs to have Mr. Murphy’s other dog, “Sweetie” also tested for lead. (/ discussed this with Mr. Murphy's
yeterinarian as well, Or. Heather Wark of Dunckel Veterinary Hospital} have not heard back if the test was pursued or,
if so, what the results are.
Michele Schalow, DVM
Program Manager
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD}
Animal industry Division (AiD}
517-284-5688 (Office)
SL7-373-0015 (Fant