My dog has been diagnosed as Zinc deficient (after I requested that the test be done) and I was wondering if anyone had any experience on the different type of supplements available. I think you can get calcium based and water soluble zinc supplements and wondered which is best for a dog. I thought that the water soluble ones were but can't remember where I read this, my vets can get the tablets in for me but I really would like to know if I should go for a water soluble rather than calcium based - the dog is usually fed BARF (not linked to diet as has been fed commercial for the month leading up to the tests to make sure it wasn't diet related) and is 11 months old.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

You need really to discover why your dog is zinc deficient, is it breed related ie is it a sled dog, or is there a connection with the food he eats.  Soya bind zinc and makes it unavailable to the dog.  Also zinc is important in the correct absorption of Vitamin B 6 it has a syngergistic effect.

You should be able to give your dog OTC zinc supplements and they may be cheaper than those marketed specifically for dogs.

An over abundance of this mineral is equally as problematic as a deficiency.

Hi tohme,

Nearly a month ago I started giving our Bichon a Zinc tablet everyday because I read somewhere that it may help with skin problems.  Do you think I am doing more harm than good.  Any advice would be appreciated.
The tablets are 15mg and I give him 1 a day.  What do you think of the herb MSM (methysulfonymethane) and vitamin C as suggested in another thread.  I am desperately trying anything that might make him stop scratching and chewing himself.

Anna you need to know if the 15mg is "equivalent zinc" it should state this on the back of the bottle :)

How much does your dog weigh? the dose of zinc for a bichons size/weight is 7mg per day.Wont know for sure until you let us know his weight :)

As for the MSM i cant speak highly enough of the stuff,my dog has completely stopped itching since i started giving it. MSM is pure sulpher which many dogs already lack,some foods contain sulphur,but because of our depleted soils we nor our dogs get enough of it!

Hi Frodo,

He probably weighs about 8 kg, although I am not sure cos haven't any scales.  He was weighed at the vet last October and he was 7kg then I think but he has put a bit of weight on since then because he is on and off steroids every few weeks or so and he always seems to put weight on when he is on them.   I am trying to get a bit of weight off him now and am just trying to keep him to half a packet of nature diet a day.

I don't think I will carry on with the Zinc then if he should only be having 7mg, I didn't realise it could be harmful.

I will definitely get some MSM as soon as I can.

Thanks for your reply

Anna.

I have a schipperke with me at present who has this problem and is on tablets from the vet called zincaderm coming in at £12 for about 6 wks supply, it is going to take a while to sort as he's not been absorbing the zinc for some reason and has been castrated to reduce his need for zinc in sperm production but stress does cause him to break out in lesions again, he was on a dry diet before coming to me so that hasn't helped his situation much.

Hi Anna,
so still having probs. with your Bichon? Whats she/he called?  Likewise with Safi :( Isn't it a pain. I don't think the Piriton is working now, and I don't want to up it to more than 2 a day. I had her on Zinc tablets for a while, but they didn't seem to be any good for her. I wondered about the MSM. I was looking at them in Holland and Barratt last week, but opted for some more sulphur pillules 30c. On Sunday I started her on Chappie and Naturediet. See if that does any good. I'm still giving her a raw bone in the aft. though as well. At least that helps keep things firm, if you know what I mean ;)
what are we going to do with these bl***y dogs of ours!!
I actually sprayed her this morning, while grooming her, with Avon Skin So Soft dry skin spray. It did stop her, but how long for is anyones guess.
Ah well, chin up :D
Anne

Hi Anne,

Yes he seems to be scratching more than ever this last few days, I'm at my wits end with him sometimes, its awful watching them scratch constantly isn't it.  Sometimes he hardly scratches and then he has days where he is scratching on and off all day but he is still on the same diet (naturediet) etc so I just don't know why.  How did you go on with the Enzymes from first4pets (it was you that was trying them wasn't it or was it somebody else, my memory is terrible at the moment - I had to phone the doctors for my 4 year old and forgot what year she was born when they asked me :-( ) have they done anything for Saffi?  Our Bichon is called Benji.  I bathed him the other night in Episoothe because he was smelling quite doggy and he always seems to scratch more when he is bathed for some reason, but they are not really a dog that can go without a bath because of their hair are they.   I am going to get some MSM when I go out again, might as well try it, other than cutting his bl***y legs and head off I don't think I will ever stop it LOL.

Just wondered did you notice how much the MSM was?

Have you tried using Quistel I have a cavalier who scratched(real scratching not SHM)himself so much he actually scratched all his lower chest & tummy hair off & his skin was covered in small sores & scabs & nothing the vet tried helped at all

A Dutch Vet told me to try Quistel shampoo & lotion & it is as if he is another dog his skin is lovely & soft & clear AND he no longer scratches

Hi Moonmaiden,

I think someone somewhere mentioned quistel but I can't remember where they said I could get it from.  Do you know anywhere that sells it?

Thanks for your reply :-)

Try here

Thanks Moonmaiden :-)