Warning: Zinc Ingestion is Toxic and May Be Fatal to Dogs!

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For those of us who sometimes give our pets people vitamins, here is a warning about Zinc. Even the small amount in a multi-vitamin can be toxic/fatal to dogs.

Zinc is an essential trace mineral that plays an important role in many biologic processes. It exists in many forms, and unfortunately, ingestion of some forms of zinc can lead to toxicity. Zinc poisoning is most prevalent in pet dogs.

Common sources of zinc include batteries, staples, nuts and bolts used in pet carriers, zinc-oxide creams and ointments, zippers, certain types of lozenges, and U.S. pennies minted after 1983. Another source of zinc is supplementation by well-meaning pet owners.

Zinc can have toxic effects when free zinc is released by stomach acid. Free zinc forms soluble zinc salts that damage the intestinal mucosa and are absorbed and quickly distributed to major organ systems. Symptoms of zinc toxicosis include vomiting, diarrhea, black tarry stools, loss of appetite, lethargy, depression, jaundice, shock, cardiac arrhythmias, and seizures.

Diagnosis of zinc poisoning involves a physical exam, a variety of blood tests including a test to determine zinc levels in blood, and x-rays to detect a zinc-containing foreign object in the GI tract.

Treatment of zinc toxicosis involves supportive care and removing the source of the zinc.

Learn more here: https://healthypets.mercola.com/sites...poisoning.aspx