Disease Description: A condition where the skin is abnormal (scaly, hair loss, etc.) but which responds to the administration of zinc in the diet.

Inherit Mode: The mode of inheritance is unknown.

Disease Symptom: Signs are usually first seen around puberty. Thereis reddening,scaling, crusting, and hair loss on the muzzle and around the eyes.The footpads as wellas the area around the vulva and anus may be affected. The lesions areitchy in about halfof dogs with this disorder, causing chewing of the feet or rubbing orpawing at the face.

Disease Cause: -

Disease Diagnose: The diagnosis is made through a skin biopsy. This is asimpleprocedure done with local anesthetic, in which your veterinarianremoves a small sample ofyour dog's skin for examination by a veterinary pathologist. Thebiopsy will show changescharacteristic of this condition.

Treat Method: Temporary zinc supplementation is effective intreating thetransient zinc deficiency that may occur in young rapidly growingGreat Danes and Dobermanpinschers. Affected dogs of the Northern breeds mustreceive dietarysupplementation of zinc for life, or the signs will recur.

Breeder Advice: Affected dogs and close relatives (parents,siblings) should not bebred.

Disease Description Source: Link