Sled Dog Society of Wales
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    • Health & Wellbeing >
      • Health Conditions A - E >
        • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
        • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
        • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
        • Breathing Difficulties
        • Canine Athletes Heart Syndrome
        • Congenital Heart Disease in Dogs
        • Epilepsy
      • Health Conditions F -M >
        • Hip dysplasia
        • Hypoglycemia
        • Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
        • Joint Luxation
        • Ligament and Tendon Tears
        • Metabolic Myopathy
      • Health Conditions N - Z >
        • Paw Pad Problems
        • Portal Systemic Shunts
        • Pyometra & Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia
        • Snow Nose
        • Stomach Ulcers
        • Tendonitis
        • Urinary Tract Health
      • Infectious diseases >
        • Alabama Rot
        • Cryptococcosis
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      • Welbeing A - G >
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        • Heat Stroke
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        • Zinc Deficency
      • Dental Care
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    • Temperature Guide to Safely Work Your Dog
    • Toilet Training
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    • Weight Pull Training
    • Working In Racing Harness Sled/Dry Land Rig or Scooter
Picture

Zinc Responsive Dermatitis in Sled Dogs

 Zinc is one of the essential minerals that is supplemented in modern day commercial diets for.  There are several different factors that may affect absorption of zinc from the diet.  Zinc deficiencies are commonly manifested as zinc responsive dermatitis particularly in northern breeds including malamutes and huskies.  Zinc toxicity rarely occurs but overdosing can lead to problems with calcium absorption.  Some young puppies and pregnant dogs, as well as performance dogs, or animals with skin problems, may require more supplemental zinc than is being fed in the diet.
 
Zinc requirements
There have been several studies done on zinc and the racing Alaskan Huskies and those numbers are listed as a comparison.
  

Growth Stage
 
Minimum recommended daily amount of zinc in mg/kg of food consumed - Maximum mg that should be fed
 
Growing puppy 120 - 1000
Adult dog 120 - 1000
Racing sled dogs 150 (Optimum) - 300

 
Absorption and sources of zinc
Zinc is not considered to be highly absorbable.  Studies show that between 5% and 40% of ingested zinc is actually absorbed.  There are several factors that influence the absorption of zinc.  One of them is genetics.
Generally the northern breed dogs, including Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes, may have a genetic inability to adequately absorb zinc.   Many of these breeds must be fed a diet that is higher in zinc to prevent zinc deficiency associated skin problems.   Plants contain a product called phytate, which binds zinc and reduces its absorption.  Fiber has a similar effect.  Therefore, animals that are fed a diet high in plant material may have an increased risk of developing zinc deficiencies.  Calcium also binds zinc, and zinc deficiencies can be produced when excess amounts of calcium are fed.  Dogs with inflammatory bowel disease may develop zinc deficiency because of lack of absorption.  Zinc is found in higher concentrations in meat and bone than it is in plant sources

Zinc deficiency in the dog most commonly occurs as a skin condition that is called “zinc responsive dermatitis”.  The disease is divided into two different syndromes.  One affects Siberian huskies and Alaskan malamutes and the other affects puppies on zinc-deficient diets or diets that are over-supplemented with calcium.   Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies have difficult time absorbing zinc, and if they are stressed or fed a diet high in plant sources or high in calcium they may develop this condition.  The usual symptoms are hair loss, and scaling and crusting of the skin around the face, head, and legs.  Lesions often encircle the mouth, chin, eyes, and ears.  The foot pads may be scaly and the hair coat is dull and dry. Puppies fed a deficient diet may also show these symptoms but may also be lethargic, anorexic, and be prone to secondary infections.  Diagnosis is usually made by history, physical exam, and response to zinc supplementation.  Treatment with a zinc supplement usually resolves these symptoms within several weeks.
 
Zinc toxicity
Toxicities to zinc due to over supplementation are very rare.  If animals are fed large amounts of zinc supplements, they may be prone to developing copper and iron deficiencies.  However, this condition can usually only be created experimentally.  Zinc toxicities can occur, however, if an animal would swallow pennies minted since 1982, zinc hardware on transport cages, zinc ointment, or eat or drink from galvanized containers.
 
Zinc Suppliments
Many products that are used to help improve the quality of the skin coat and hair contain supplemental zinc.  It is found in all good vitamin supplements and many fatty acid supplements also contain extra zinc.  There is no evidence to show that increased zinc levels improve the immune or athletic performance, but the benefits to the skin and coat are well-documented.  Most healthy animals do just fine on the zinc that is supplied in a balanced commercial pet food.  If your dog suffers from a skin disorder such as hair loss and excessive shedding, particularly if it is a northern breed, a puppy, or under a lot of stress, a supplement containing extra zinc may be very beneficial, especially if combined with a fatty acid supplement.



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  • Home
  • About
    • Club Ethos
    • Club Code of Ethics
    • Club Dog Working, Showing & Pack Walks
    • Club Membership
    • Club Merchandise >
      • Pyrography
      • Car Decals
      • Clothing >
        • Size & Colour Chart
      • Custom Embroidery Designs
      • Dog Accessories
      • Keyrings
      • Miscellaneous
    • Meet the Pack & Club Event Photos
    • Rainbow Bridge
  • Education & Public Speaking
  • Contact
  • Ain't Nothing But A Hound Day
    • Gleblands Park - Newport
    • Victoria Park - Cardiff
    • Romilly Park - Barry
    • Roath Recreation Ground - Cardiff
  • Dog Show Sponsors 2019
  • Canine First Aid & Health & Wellbeing
    • Canine First Aid Kit Contents
    • Bandaging & Wound Cleaning
    • Emergency First Aid A - E >
      • Abscesses
      • Adder Snake Bite
      • Bee Stings & Insect Bites
      • Bleeding (external)
      • Bleeding (internal)
      • Bloat
      • Chemical Burns
      • Choking
      • CPR - Cardio Pulmonary Resusitation
      • Dehydration
      • Dental Emergencies
      • Difficult Births
      • Drowning
      • Eye Injuries
    • Emergency First Aid E - O >
      • Electrocution
      • Fainting - "Syncope"
      • False Widow Spider Bite
      • Fever
      • Fox Bites
      • Fractures
      • Heatstroke
      • Hot Spots - Canine Acute Moist Dermatitis
      • Hypothermia
      • Nose Bleed
    • Emergency First Aid P - Z >
      • Paralysis
      • Poisoning and Exposure to Toxins
      • Penetrating Injuries
      • Rat Bites
      • Seizures
      • Shock
      • Straining & Constipation
      • Transporting Injurerd Dogs
    • Health & Wellbeing >
      • Health Conditions A - E >
        • Abnormal Heart Rhythm in Dogs
        • Alaskan Husky Encephalopathy (Sub acute Necrotizing Encephalomyelopathy)
        • B12 Deficiency or Cobalamin Malabsorption
        • Breathing Difficulties
        • Canine Athletes Heart Syndrome
        • Congenital Heart Disease in Dogs
        • Epilepsy
      • Health Conditions F -M >
        • Hip dysplasia
        • Hypoglycemia
        • Hypothyroidism & Hyperthyroidism
        • Joint Luxation
        • Ligament and Tendon Tears
        • Metabolic Myopathy
      • Health Conditions N - Z >
        • Paw Pad Problems
        • Portal Systemic Shunts
        • Pyometra & Cystic Endometrial Hyperplasia
        • Snow Nose
        • Stomach Ulcers
        • Tendonitis
        • Urinary Tract Health
      • Infectious diseases >
        • Alabama Rot
        • Cryptococcosis
        • Distemper
        • Erlichiosis
        • Hepatitis
        • Histoplasmosis
        • Parvovirus
        • Rabies
      • Welbeing A - G >
        • Anal Glands/Sacks
        • Burns
        • Coconut Oil
        • Dry Dog Food
        • Grooming and maintenance
      • Wellbeing H - Z >
        • Heat Stroke
        • How To Trim Your Dogs Claws
        • Raw Feeding
        • Toxic Food - Fruits, vegtables & Fish
        • Turmeric Powder
        • Vitaimin E
        • Zinc Deficency
      • Dental Care
      • Nutrition
      • Vaccinations, Worming, Microchipping >
        • Kennel Cough
        • Microchipping
        • Vaccinaions
        • Worming, Flea & Tick Prevention & Parasites
      • Spaying & Neutering
      • Veterinary Clinical Examination
  • Controlling Your Dog In Public
    • Banned Breeds
    • Dangerous Dog Act 2017
    • Dog fouling
    • Public Spaces Protection Orders
  • Donation & Fundraising
  • Easy Fundraising
  • Evolution Of Dogs
    • Breeds >
      • Spitz Breeds >
        • Alaskan Husky
        • Aalaskan Klee Kai
        • Alaskan Malamute
        • Chow Chow
        • Crossd Breed - Huskamute
        • Greenland Dogs
        • Japanese Akita Inu & American Akita
        • Samoyed
        • Siberian Husky
        • Tamaskan
      • Wolf Hybrids >
        • Czechoslovakian wolf dog
        • Saarlooswolfhond
        • Timberwolfdog
  • Equipment
    • Collars
    • Cooling Coats & Mats
    • Scooters, Dry Land Rig and Sleds
    • Walking Belt
    • Dog Weather Shelter
    • Head Collar
    • Leads
    • Harnesses
    • Stake out lines
  • Puppy and dog walking tips
  • Training
    • Canicross
    • Crate Training
    • Obedience training >
      • Bite Inhibition
      • Leave it Training
      • Recall Training
      • Sit Training
      • Sit & Stay Training
      • Walking to Heel Training
    • Temperature Guide to Safely Work Your Dog
    • Toilet Training
    • Vocal Commands
    • Weight Pull Training
    • Working In Racing Harness Sled/Dry Land Rig or Scooter