title: Zinc responsive dermatopathy in goats: two field cases.
abstract: Two adult female goats presented with symmetrical alopecia, rough hair coats, weight loss, and generalized unthriftiness. In light of the history and clinical signs, we suspected a mineral deficiency or endocrine imbalance. These animals were being fed a diet of alfalfa, a legume high in calcium, which can block zinc uptake. Serum zinc levels were low, and skin biopsies supported the diagnosis of zinc deficiency. Therefore, these findings suggest that the main factor blocking zinc absorption was increased dietary calcium.
authors.affiliation: Division of Comparative Pathology, University of Miami, School of Medicine, 1550 NW 10th Ave Room 109, (R-46), Miami, Florida, 33136, USA.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Herron
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Altman
mesh_terms: D000505:Alopecia / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary; D000821:Animal Feed; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D015511:Goat Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006041:Goats; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015032:Zinc / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
chemical_list: D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium