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mercury in rabbits

Sent to Pet Experts September 21 2004 at 4:05 AM
   

Our housekeeper broke a mercury thermometer yesterday, then dusted the mercury throughout the area (the table the thermometer was laying on was covered with very tiny beads). She then vacuumed. We have 3 bunnies in that room, who have run through the carpet where some of it may have spilled (before we knew it had happened). After we found out about it, we erroneously tried to vacuum it off of the table, picking up a number of the larger beads, but very tiny ones were left behind. We have since learned that that was the WRONG thing to do. A fair bit seemed to be left in the thermometer (from where the bulb had been up to over 100 degrees), plus a whole lot of very small beads were still on the table (we have covered that with tape, and thrown it out). My question is this: How much at risk do you think our bunnies are for contamination? The biggest fear is that some became vaporized when both she and we vacuumed. One bunny’s cage is about 3-4’ from the area. Also, if contaminated, what symptoms should we look for, and how long do you think it would take before we knew whether or not they were affected? We’re sure nothing can be done to get it out of them, but we want to take the best care possible, and be sure they don’t suffer, and also want to know if there is a time frame that, once passed, we’ll know they are okay. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
September 21 2004 at 4:56 AM (50 minutes and 46 seconds later)
         
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  Mercury exposure can be tested for by a urine test and I would suggest you, and anyone who came in contact with it be tested immediately being that it was aerosolized by vaccuumed up. You can check with your vet if they know a lab that will do mercury testing on rabbits urine. Most of the larger labs will.
Good Luck!



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