Zinc Responsive Dermatosis (ZRD) is a poorly understood disease that effects canines. ZRD Syndrome I is acknowledged to be more than a simple zinc deficiency. Though it’s mechanism of action has yet to be determined, it prevents the body from absorbing enough zinc from the ration even when adequate levels are present (White et al., 2001). As such, animals afflicted with this condition often suffer from zinc deficiency. ZRD Syndrome II is a more transient deficiency resulting from low ration zinc levels (White et al., 2001). Both ZRD Syndrome I and II symptoms, therefore, can be controlled if the canine is properly supplemented with zinc.
Zinc is an essential nutrient in a dog’s diet, and as such is regulated in dog food by The Association …show more content…
Skin biopsies can be conducted on ZRD suspect dogs to reveal any abnormality in the epithelial cells. Some commonly observed abnormalities are parakeratosis (a persistence of nuclei in keratinocytes which is normal in mucous membranes, but abnormal in skin epithelial cells), acanthosis (a thickening of one of the layers of the skin epithelium), and inflammatory cells surrounding hair follicles (White et al., 2001).The history of the dog, including the dog’s breed, are also taken into account. Northern dog breeds such as the Alaskan Husky, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and Samoyed make up a vast majority of the reported ZRD Syndrome I cases (Bonham, 2002; White et al., 2001). Young dogs from large breeds are the most common ZRD Syndrome II patients. Breeds such as the Doberman Pincher and Great Dane have a period of rapid growth, and as such have high zinc requirements that may not be meet, especially if the ration is high in calcium, iron, copper, fiber, or phytate (Case et al., 2011; White et al., 2001). Their presence in the ration prevents zinc from being properly absorbed (Case et al., 2011; White et al., 2001). Physical examination by a veterinarian is also used to diagnose the disease. As already stated, zinc deficiency is relatively rare, and as such, not all veterinarians are familiar with the disease. ZRD can be misdiagnosed as an autoimmune disease such as pemphigus or lupus (Bonham, 2002). It may also appear to be an infection, collie nose, or allergies (Bonham, 2002). A veterinarian familiar with the northern breed dogs or ZRD specifically should be consulted if the owner suspects a zinc
Zinc is an essential nutrient in a dog’s diet, and as such is regulated in dog food by The Association …show more content…
Skin biopsies can be conducted on ZRD suspect dogs to reveal any abnormality in the epithelial cells. Some commonly observed abnormalities are parakeratosis (a persistence of nuclei in keratinocytes which is normal in mucous membranes, but abnormal in skin epithelial cells), acanthosis (a thickening of one of the layers of the skin epithelium), and inflammatory cells surrounding hair follicles (White et al., 2001).The history of the dog, including the dog’s breed, are also taken into account. Northern dog breeds such as the Alaskan Husky, Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute, and Samoyed make up a vast majority of the reported ZRD Syndrome I cases (Bonham, 2002; White et al., 2001). Young dogs from large breeds are the most common ZRD Syndrome II patients. Breeds such as the Doberman Pincher and Great Dane have a period of rapid growth, and as such have high zinc requirements that may not be meet, especially if the ration is high in calcium, iron, copper, fiber, or phytate (Case et al., 2011; White et al., 2001). Their presence in the ration prevents zinc from being properly absorbed (Case et al., 2011; White et al., 2001). Physical examination by a veterinarian is also used to diagnose the disease. As already stated, zinc deficiency is relatively rare, and as such, not all veterinarians are familiar with the disease. ZRD can be misdiagnosed as an autoimmune disease such as pemphigus or lupus (Bonham, 2002). It may also appear to be an infection, collie nose, or allergies (Bonham, 2002). A veterinarian familiar with the northern breed dogs or ZRD specifically should be consulted if the owner suspects a zinc