Zinc-responsive dermatosis in a red wolf (Canis rufus)

An 18-mo-old male red wolf (Canis rufus) presented with footpad hyperkerato sis, suppurative paronychia, distal limb pyoderma, and peripheral lymphaden opathy. Diet for the previous 11 mo consisted of a mixture of two commercia lly prepared dog foods with a mineral supplement containing primarily calci um. Culture of the draining tracts on the discal limbs yielded a mixed popu lation of opportunistic bacteria. Histopathologic findings were consistent with a diagnosis of zinc deficiency. Medical therapy consisted of 15 mg/kg amoxicillin p.o. b.i.d. and 10 mg/kg zinc sulfate p.o. s.i.d. Calcium suppl ementation was discontinued. Clinical signs resolved by 10 wk after the ini tiation of treatment.