FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Humans aren’t the only ones affected by the water crisis in Flint — pets also may have been exposed to lead. An effort coordinated by Michigan State University is helping dogs get tested.
The school’s College of Veterinary Medicine has hosted screening events with professors, students and technicians volunteering to draw blood from dogs. State veterinarian James Averill says his office has documented seven cases of lead toxicity in dogs.
As in people, high lead levels can cause neurologic or brain changes in dogs.
While the focus rightfully has been on human health, Michigan State professor Daniel Langlois says the veterinarians and students wanted to make sure pet health wasn’t ignored. Though Averill says other pets are a concern as well, the volunteer testing is just for dogs.
