Z
Zinc, Serum Level
DEFINITION
Zinc is an essential trace mineral that serves as a cofactor for enzymes in many tissues. It is important in regulation of the immune response, modulation of keratogenesis, wound healing, maintenance of normal reproductive function, and acuity of taste and smell.
TYPICAL TOXIC RANGE
Dogs, cats: <2 mg/mL (serum); <30-70 ppm, wet weight (liver). Check with laboratory for values considered diagnostic of toxicity.
PHYSIOLOGY
Source is dietary. Zinc is absorbed via the intestine, metabolized in the liver, and exported to peripheral tissues.
CLINICAL APPLICATIONS
CAUSES OF ABNORMALLY HIGH LEVELS: Ingestion of excessive levels of zinc phosphide (either as powder, bait). Toxicity may also result from relay toxicosis associated with eating tissues of zinc phosphide-poisoned animals or ingestion of U.S. pennies minted after 1983.
NEXT DIAGNOSTIC STEP TO CONSIDER IF LEVELS HIGH: Vomitus/gastric lavage (phosphine gas) is actually the preferred method of diagnosis in case of toxicity. Caution: phosphine gas (faint garlic or rotten fish odor; gas is liberated in the breath of animals with zinc phosphide intoxication, such as during gastric lavage) is a public health hazard and may cause severe/permanent respiratory injury to veterinary personnel or bystanders.
CAUSES OF ABNORMALLY LOW LEVELS: Malnutrition, malabsorption, animals on total parenteral nutrition
NEXT DIAGNOSTIC STEP TO CONSIDER IF LEVELS LOW: Skin biopsy if zinc-deficient dermatosis is suspected
IMPORTANT INTERSPECIES DIFFERENCES: Zinc-responsive dermatosis occurs in dogs. Familial form (Alaskan malamutes, Siberian huskies) and from affecting puppies fed zinc-deficient or oversupplemented diets. Lethal acrodermatitis is a rare inherited disorder of bull terriers that does not respond to zinc supplementation and is invariably fatal.
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