Skin disease in dogs

RE: Skin disease in dogs

Julie Innes — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 08:58:56 GMT

I had a rough collie with a zinc responsive dermatosis in my first job, 20- odd years ago- I was very proud of diagnosing it, and chuffed when it responded so well to treatment. I have had a couple of suspect cases in huskies, but not many!

RE: Skin disease in dogs

Alistair Graham-Evans — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 00:09:39 GMT

Saw a few in huskies / malamutes 20-30 years ago with parakeratosis on histology.

Nothing recently

RE: Skin disease in dogs

Emily Rainbow — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 21:25:34 GMT

I’ve diagnosed it in horses and alpacas from suggestive histopathology results confirmed on bloods.

Not seen it in dogs but hopefully not missed it as I biopsy anything wierd/not responding!

RE: Skin disease in dogs

James Dunne — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 20:36:59 GMT

Hi Anthony

There is more than likely a genetic component in the malamute/husky - type breeds. severity of clinical signs is apparently very variable. It is more of a 'zinc-responsive dermatosis' than 'zinc deficiency' since these animals are on similar diets to the rest of the canine population.

Kind regards

James

RE: Skin disease in dogs

Anthony Todd — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 08:56:35 GMT

[quote user="James Dunne"] I mistakenly poo-pooed a client diagnosing it from looking at Google[/quote]

Is it still only related to Zn deficiency or is there a genetic component??

RE: Skin disease in dogs

James Dunne — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 07:50:25 GMT

Hi David

That was my opinion until our dermatologist disabused me of it! It is well recognised in husky-type breeds as one other poster mentioned. I mistakenly poo-pooed a client diagnosing it from looking at Google a few years ago and had to wind my neck in. In general, it is likely rare but breed disposition is important. Skin gurus are more likely to see it/ recognise it than generalists and I guess its severity is quite variable also.

Kind regards

James

RE: Skin disease in dogs

David Mills — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 02:17:49 GMT

Zinc responsive dermatosis.

Womderful lecture material.

Never seen it in 11 years.

File under so rare as to have no place on an undergraduate curriculum.

RE: Skin disease in dogs

Anthony Todd — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 20:20:04 GMT

[quote user="Beats"]I don't personally remember seeing zinc problems in a dog or cat that I can easily recall.[/quote]

There was a virtual epidenic in the mid-60s with the introduction of the first dried dog food.

It was first described in Texas and noted in a Texas A&M Journal of 1967?? [with classic B&W pics.] with the first introduction of dried food in the US.

Apparently zinc is carried in fat which is a bit of a no-no in dried food 'cos it goes bad.....

Happened in the UK when the first dried food was introduced.

I suppose all dried food has added Zn++ now as it didn't take long for it to be diagnosed due to the often distribution on the forelegs and looking like the edges of footpads all over the circularish raised 0.5ml esions; Unmistakable once seen.

Virtually non-irritant as I recall.

RE: Skin disease in dogs

Sammy82 — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 19:48:04 GMT

I recall one case we had in my previous practice. A Husky (or Malamute, not sure now) which was on Zinc supplementation. It was already on it when it first came to us. As far as I remember it was just a human generic supplement it was on. My memory is sketchy regarding the details, it was thought to be breed-related malabsorption, main symptom was facial dermatitis.

RE: Skin disease in dogs

Beats — Fri, 23 Aug 2019 19:04:13 GMT

2 types of zinc problem:

1) diet inadequate in zinc (rare in this day and age I would imagine) - just needs fed normal diet probably.

2) breed-related problem with zinc absorption - needs big doses of supplemental zinc to make up for poor absorption probably.

I don't personally remember seeing zinc problems in a dog or cat that I can easily recall.