Severe lead poisoning and an abdominal foreign body in a mute swan (Cygnus olor).

The mute swan (Cygnus olor) is common on British waterways and frequently presents to wildlife hospitals with fishing tackle-related problems. Many of these birds have abnormally high blood lead levels after the ingestion of lead fishing weights. The ingestion of fishing line and tackle is also commonly seen. This case report describes the treatment of a swan with a particularly severe case of lead poisoning and the subsequent removal of an abdominal foreign body.