Zinc

Mineral Supplement

View Brand Names (5)

Dose and dosage

Dog

Hepatic disease in dogs: 100 mg of elemental zinc per dog q12h PO, equivalent to 3 mg/kg per day of zinc gluconate, or 2 mg/kg of zinc sulfate per day PO. (Consider including vitamin E with treatment.)
• Zinc supplement: 1 mg/kg of elemental zinc gluconate or sulfate three times/day PO or 1.5–3 mg (of elemental zinc) of zinc acetate daily per animal PO.
• Dermatologic use: 10 mg/kg per day (zinc sulfate or zinc gluconate).
• IV zinc treatment: 50 mcg of elemental zinc/kg infused IV slowly per day.
Cat

Hepatic disease in dogs: 100 mg of elemental zinc per dog q12h PO, equivalent to 3 mg/kg per day of zinc gluconate, or 2 mg/kg of zinc sulfate per day PO. (Consider including vitamin E with treatment.)
• Zinc supplement: 1 mg/kg of elemental zinc gluconate or sulfate three times/day PO or 1.5–3 mg (of elemental zinc) of zinc acetate daily per animal PO.
• Dermatologic use: 10 mg/kg per day (zinc sulfate or zinc gluconate).
• IV zinc treatment: 50 mcg of elemental zinc/kg infused IV slowly per day.
Cattle

No specific doses have been reported. If zinc supplementation is needed, extrapolate the dose from small animal use (approximately 1 mg/kg of elemental zinc three times per day PO) and adjust the dose by monitoring zinc concentrations.
Poultry

Please follow the trade dose.

Applications: Alopecia, Anorexia, Diarrhea, Healthy hoof, Hyperkeratosis, Improve Immunity, Mastitis, Parakeratosis, Wound, digestive system diseases, skin diseases, weakness, Muscle and Joint stiffness, Improve Reproductive Performance
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Poultry: poor growth, reduced egg production and hatchability, diarrhoea, poor feathering, swollen/stiffness of joint, dry, thickened & fissured foot pad, hyperkeratosis etc. 

Zinc is an essential element important in more than 200 metalloenzymes. It also is important for nucleic acid, cell membrane, and protein synthesis. In addition, it is important for growth, tissue repair, and cell division. Zinc acts as a chelating agent, and it competes with iron to inhibit fibrosis and collagen formation. It induces the production of metallothionein in intestinal mucosal cells, which binds copper from the diet and prevents uptake to the liver. The benefits have been seen in experimental animals and in humans with liver disease. One of the uses has been to manage hepatic cirrhosis. Zinc also may act as an antioxidant and prevent membrane damage.

Zinc can treat acute and chronic diarrhea by inhibiting three out of the four main intracellular pathways of intestinal ion secretion, including cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), calcium, and nitric oxide.

The biochemical, immunologic, or virologic basis for the mechanism of action of zinc in the treatment of the common cold remains unclear. A leading hypothesis is that Zn2+ is a competitive inhibitor of ICAM-1 in both rhinovirus particles and the nasal epithelium.

Zinc aids wound repair by acting as a cofactor in several transcription factors and enzyme systems (i.e., zinc-dependent matrix metalloproteinases) that augment auto-debridement and keratinocyte migration. Zinc protects against reactive oxygen species and bacterial toxins through the anti-oxidant activity of cysteine-rich metallothioneins.

Zinc decreases the concentration of copper by inducing the synthesis of a copper-binding ligand in mucosal cells; this sequesters copper, making it unavailable for serosal transfer in the GI tract.

 Physiological role of Zinc Zinc is essential for – 

  • Gene expression 
  •  Cell division 
  •  Growth 
  •  Hormone production 
  •  Metabolism 
  •  Appetite control 
  •  Immune function 
  •  Maintaining structural integrity & health of the hoof and udder 
  •  Wound healing and epithelium maintenance. 

COPPER: Large doses of zinc can inhibit copper absorption in the intestine; if this interaction is not desired, separate copper and zinc supplements by at least two hours
FLUOROQUINOLONES (e.g., enrofloxacin, ciprofloxacin): Zinc salts may reduce the oral absorption of some fluoroquinolones
PENICILLAMINE: May potentially inhibit zinc absorption; clinical significance is not clear
TETRACYCLINES: Zinc salts may chelate oral tetracycline and reduce its absorption; separate doses by at least two hours
URSODIOL: May potentially inhibit zinc absorption; clinical significance is not clear

The most common effect is gastrointestinal (GI) problems, including nausea and vomiting. Hemolysis and anemia can be observed with high doses.

Signs associated with overdoses of zinc in mammals include hemolytic anemia, hypotension, jaundice, vomiting, and pulmonary edema. Suggestions for treatment of overdoses of oral zinc include removing the source, dilution with milk or water, and chelation therapy using edetate calcium disodium (Calcium EDTA). Refer to that monograph for possible doses and usage information. 

Zinc intoxication in birds is relatively common, but clinical signs of intoxication in birds are varied and nonspecific. They include lethargy, anorexia, regurgitation, polyuria, polydipsia, hematuria, hematochezia, pallor, dark or bright green diarrhea, foul-smelling feces, paresis, seizures, and sudden death (Puschner & Poppenga 2009). Treatment involves removing the source of zinc, chelation therapy (edetate calcium disodium or succimer), and supportive care.

If IV forms are used (e.g., zinc sulfate), adverse effects may be more likely because it produces higher concentrations. The oral absorption is lower and more limited.

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