Abstract
A five-year-old, female Cavalier King Charles Spaniel presented with alopecia and hyperkeratosis of the eyelids, muzzle, elbows, hocks, pads, and genitalia. This dog gave birth and different dog foods were used just prior to the onset. Histopathologic examination revealed severe acanthosis with diffuse parakeratosis at both the epidermis and follicular infundibula. In addition, polynuclear leukocyte and monocyte infiltration were observed at the superficial dermis with focal epidermal spongiosis. Complete blood counts, serum chemistry analysis, serum thyroxin level and allergen-specific IgE serology did not show any abnormalities. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed as having zinc-responsive dermatosis. The dog gave birth before the onset of these skin lesions, and was fed a commercial dog food. Oral zinc was effective with a balanced diet for hyperkeratosis, but pruritus continued. Then, concurrent oral prednisolone, which was not effective when used alone, cured it completely. The dog did not require both zinc supplementation and prednisolone after remission. Since a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is not a breed predisposed to zinc responsive dermatosis, a temporal disorder due to zinc absorption related with diet was suspected.
