Zinc Salts

Zinc Salts In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

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Overview

Primarily associated with DNA and RNA synthesis, it also plays a role in essential fatty acid synthesis, white blood cell function, and various reactions in intermediary metabolism.
When taken orally, it can decrease the absorption of copper in the gastrointestinal tract and its uptake by the liver.

Treatment of zinc-responsive dermatoses.
Reduction of copper in dogs with copper storage disease and copper-associated hepatopathy.
Proposed benefits also exist in chronic hepatitis and hepatic encephalopathy.

Dogs, Cats:

1–2 mg elemental zinc p.o. q24h (zinc sulphate: 5 mg/ kg p.o. q24h or in divided doses; zinc gluconate: 2 mg/kg p.o. q24h; zinc acetate: 1 mg/kg p.o. q24h).
Give with food to minimize vomiting.

You Should Give:

Nausea, vomiting and occasional diarrhoea.
Haemolysis may occur with large doses or serum levels >10 mg/ml particularly if a coexistent copper deficiency exists.

Interactions with other divalent heavy metals like iron and copper are notable, potentially resulting in decreased hepatic copper or iron stores and functional deficiency with long-term zinc administration.
Penicillamine and ursodeoxycholic acid might inhibit zinc absorption, though the clinical significance is uncertain.
Zinc salts could chelate oral tetracycline, diminishing its absorption; administer doses at least 2 hours apart.
Zinc salts may also diminish the absorption of fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
The bioavailability of elemental zinc varies depending on formulation: zinc acetate and chelated forms are highest; gluconate is intermediate; sulphate is lowest.
Higher bioavailability is also associated with improved tolerance.
Zinc gluconate is associated with fewer GI side effects.
Concurrent supplementation with EFAs is advised for the treatment of skin disorders.

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