Chris Foggin, [24 Oct 2022 at 08:46:50]: I'm aware that meloxicam is considered 'safe' for vultures to eat but, before I recommend that a meloxicam-treated carcass be put out for scavengers, I would like to know if this has been put to the test in the field, and not just the Lab. Thanks. Erik Verrynne, [24 Oct 2022 at 09:03:12]: Chris. My honest opinion is not to take the risk. There was a lot of inter-company politics when it was decided that meloxicam and flunixin were safer than phenylbutazone and carprofen etc. It was all based on the experiences of diclofenac in the Middle East. Then I could not even find lab reports substantiating other NSAID safety claims. And how do you do effective field trials in vultures other than post-mortems and tissue analysis. The challenges we face with the NSAID’s in carcasses, even with trials, are that there are number of variables involved. We do not know the different concentration gradients due to redistribution of breakdown in the carcass at time of death, and the dehydration status of the birds. Also, the body weight to meat intake ratio in vultures can be high, resulting in higher exposure compared to other scavengers. I try to stay away if I can. Chris Foggin, [24 Oct 2022 at 09:12:21]: Thanks Erik. I appreciate your advice. Jennifer Lawrence, [24 Oct 2022 at 12:40:50]: Very good advice Erik. Birdlife SA recently released an article about lead poisoning in vultures. This is also something that needs consideration. The study is near completion as far as I understand. Erik Verrynne, [24 Oct 2022 at 13:12:26]: Hi Jenny. Yes. I was closely following the heavy metal poisoning in vultures issues The blame was largely on hunting residues the last time I spoke to Linda van den Heever. I accept that it can play a role. However, the scale and pattern is more suggestive of an environmental contamination of water ( or meat although secondary lead poisoning is disputed). We are missing something I fear….
