From the Research
Zinc-responsive dermatitis in dogs, also known as zinc-responsive dermatosis, can be effectively treated with zinc supplementation, and I recommend oral zinc supplementation using either zinc methionine (2 mg/kg daily) or zinc gluconate (10 mg/kg daily), as supported by the study 1.
Treatment Approach
For treatment, the recommended dosage is based on the study 1, which suggests a starting dose of 2-3 mg kg-1 elemental zinc per day.
- Oral zinc supplementation should be administered with food to reduce gastrointestinal upset.
- Treatment typically continues for at least 4-6 weeks, with many dogs requiring lifelong supplementation.
- Additionally, implement a high-quality diet with adequate zinc content and avoid excessive calcium and phytates which can interfere with zinc absorption.
- For skin lesions, use medicated shampoos containing chlorhexidine or benzoyl peroxide 2-3 times weekly to manage secondary infections and reduce scaling.
Condition Overview
This condition occurs either due to genetic predisposition (particularly in breeds like Huskies, Malamutes, and Samoyeds) affecting zinc absorption, or from dietary zinc deficiency, as noted in the study 2.
- Zinc is essential for skin health, immune function, and wound healing, and deficiency leads to characteristic crusting and scaling around the face, pressure points, and footpads.
- Improvement should be noticeable within 4-6 weeks of starting supplementation, but complete resolution may take several months, as indicated by the study 3.
Pathogenesis
The pathogenesis of zinc-responsive dermatosis involves oxidative stress, as supported by the study 4, which found that cellular response to stress, particularly oxidative stress, is involved in the pathogenesis of skin lesions in canine zinc-responsive dermatosis.
- The lack of metallothionein immunoreactivity in the affected epidermis may be indicative of low zinc levels, thus resulting in vulnerability to oxidative damage.
- High expression levels of heat shock proteins in skin during zinc deficiency may confer protection against a variety of dangerous stimuli, contributing to inhibition of apoptosis and to cell cycle regulation of proliferating keratinocytes.