So I got home from work today and noticed a spot on Aspens face. It wasn't there last night so it appeared just while I was at work today. At first I thought maybe she punctured her self with the crate but it's not blood. It is a weird tint to the skin and some of the fur missing but matches a part near her mouth that never truly went away from her "bad" patch on her face when I got her. Some of you may remember when I was considering getting her, she had a healing patch on her face and the lady that had her said her vet thought it was from stress and lack of nutrition from her pregnancy and weaning the pups. My vet noticed it immediatly when I took her but he said it looked like it was already healing so he wasn't concerned about it and moved on to the rest of her exam. I was actually thinking about taking a picture of her face to show you all how nicely it was healing and then I come home to this spot on her face. I know some members on here have experience with ZRD, so I'm hoping if you can tell me if thats what you think it is. The second pic I will post below is from when I brought her home and you can clearly see the reddish color near her mouth...that's what it looks like on her cheek now.



This is when I first brought her home.

Siku has the reddish tint right below her mouth too. Did you ever take her to a vet to rule out mange?

My vet noticed it immediately but since it was already healing he said he wasn't concerned about it. Would mange heal and come back? Her face was almost completely healed until today.

I think it can, though I would just watch it since it's on her face. They have to take a skin scraping to confirm it and then she'd have a really bad stop on her face!

My boy has ZRD and that looks like it. Is there a brownish crust on the affected areas? ZRD waxes and wanes and is common around the mouth, eyes, ears and hocks. This detail my experience and has a couple of photos.

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=327521827288419

SaraB wrote:

Siku has the reddish tint right below her mouth too. Did you ever take her to a vet to rule out mange?

Mya has always had reddish tint under her mouth also, but vet says it's nothing to be concerned about.

Mya had manage when she was a pup. I'd say when she was about 6months or so. It would start looking like that and eventually would look like a hot spot. Vet scrapped it and said it was manage. He gave her antibiotics. It came back a few months later. More antibiotics. Then came back for a third time! After that third time it never came back. She would only get it on her face too.

Lordbroll wrote:

My boy has ZRD and that looks like it. Is there a brownish crust on the affected areas? ZRD waxes and wanes and is common around the mouth, eyes, ears and hocks. This detail my experience and has a couple of photos.

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=327521827288419

She finally let me get a close look at it and it does have a brownish crust...atleast it looks like it. She still has fur so it was not a clear view and it is just starting. She wiggled out of my grasp when I started to feel around it.

I just read your fb post, thanks for that! Will it be harmful if I just go ahead and put her on the zinc suppliments without going to get her diagnosed first?

MelissaI wrote:

SaraB wrote:

Siku has the reddish tint right below her mouth too. Did you ever take her to a vet to rule out mange?

Mya has always had reddish tint under her mouth also, but vet says it's nothing to be concerned about.

Mya had manage when she was a pup. I'd say when she was about 6months or so. It would start looking like that and eventually would look like a hot spot. Vet scrapped it and said it was manage. He gave her antibiotics. It came back a few months later. More antibiotics. Then came back for a third time! After that third time it never came back. She would only get it on her face too.

Sorry, I posted before I saw this. Now I don't know if I should try her on the zinc yet....

26nikita wrote:

MelissaI wrote:

SaraB wrote:

Siku has the reddish tint right below her mouth too. Did you ever take her to a vet to rule out mange?

Mya has always had reddish tint under her mouth also, but vet says it's nothing to be concerned about.

Mya had manage when she was a pup. I'd say when she was about 6months or so. It would start looking like that and eventually would look like a hot spot. Vet scrapped it and said it was manage. He gave her antibiotics. It came back a few months later. More antibiotics. Then came back for a third time! After that third time it never came back. She would only get it on her face too.

Sorry, I posted before I saw this. Now I don't know if I should try her on the zinc yet....

Zinc supplements are better than un-needed antibiotics but then if it's something else and not ZRD it might get worse. I would want to know for sure what I was treating.

That's true. I'm going to monitor it for now and if it continues to get worse then I will make an appt.

Good luck! Keep us updated.

Thank you! I will definately let you know the outcome. Thanks for your help!

Yes, good luck Mindy! I hope you get it all figured out. Her face is too pretty to have a pink spot

MelissaI wrote:

Her face is too pretty to have a pink spot

Yes it is! LOL! Here is another good example to those looking to get a puppy from a breeder and why everyone preaches to find a reputable one. Granted I didn't get Aspen from a breeder but it is so obvious she is from a BYB.

26nikita wrote:

MelissaI wrote:

Her face is too pretty to have a pink spot

Yes it is! LOL! Here is another good example to those looking to get a puppy from a breeder and why everyone preaches to find a reputable one. Granted I didn't get Aspen from a breeder but it is so obvious she is from a BYB.

My Mikko as well. I got him from a rescue but he has ZRD and also juvenile cataracts. Thankfully they haven't grown to impact his sight yet.

Brian, I completely understand now why you and others are so passionate about steering clear of BYB. After losing Dakota so early in his life, I now understand the full impact of the damage a BYB can do.

Do you think this is mange or zrd?

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=327521827288419#!/photo.php?fbid=308915892509367&set=a.146574542076837.30801.144055362328755&type=1&theater

We use the Zinpro ones, as recommended by a vet tech:
http://www.amazon.com/Zinpro-Organic-Chewable-Tablets-Lincoln/dp/B000RPFDR8

Apparently they're delicious to huskies too...

We slowly built up to two tables over a couple of weeks. Brian may have some advice too, since he uses them. I thought maybe that was part of Chili's rash... and he also has some patches near his mouth I keep an eye on.

SaraB wrote:

Do you think this is mange or zrd?

https://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=327521827288419#!/photo.php?fbid=308915892509367&set=a.146574542076837.30801.144055362328755&type=1&theater

If that's ZRD it is the worst case I've ever seen, I suspect mange.

hollywoodhuskies wrote:

We use the Zinpro ones, as recommended by a vet tech:
http://www.amazon.com/Zinpro-Organic-Chewable-Tablets-Lincoln/dp/B000RPFDR8

Apparently they're delicious to huskies too...

We slowly built up to two tables over a couple of weeks. Brian may have some advice too, since he uses them. I thought maybe that was part of Chili's rash... and he also has some patches near his mouth I keep an eye on.

Mikko is very picky eater, he didn't like the treats. I have to disguise the powder on wet food. I use 11/2 tbsp twice a day. When he has a flare up I use Nutrazinc from Howling Dog Alaska at 1/8 tsp (much less than Zinpro) twice a day. The Nutrazinc of more potent and has no garlic which I like to limit.

Well, it's been 5 days and it's not better or worse. It's not bothering her because I never see her mess with it. Does ZRD take time to spread?

ZRD doesn't spread per se but it does take a few weeks usually for new spots to appear, sometimes the existing ones just get worse. If you comb back the guard hairs you find new spots before all the hair falls out and they become obvious.

I thought I would post this link in here incase someone searches for ZRD.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659+1662&aid=718

It sounds like Omeg 3 fatty acids supplement is good to combine with the zinc supplement.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2&aid=666

I just realized I didn't post the outcome on this thread. Aspen did go to the vet and was deteremined to have ZRD. My vet suggested 50mg of zinc suppliments to take care of this issue. I learned I can give a human grade 50mg Zinc pill crushed in her afternoon meals. Crushing it helps with the digestion of the pill. I did read that adding an Omega 3 suppliment will also help but I have not done that as of yet. I will though... Her face is healing nicely and all that is left is an orangish tint. I decided to go ahead and give Willow this supplement as well. You do have to beware of Zinc toxicity so you do need to do the research to make sure you don't give too much. I believe one of the links I posted above mentions the limits of how much a dog should have in a day. Here is just a few interesting things I have learned about the Zinc suppliment.

Does Zinc-PCA help control Dog Odor?
We often get asked the question, and the answer is yes. Again, there have been extensive studies to show that zinc compounds do an amazing job at not simply masking odors, but removing them at their source – again because the most common origin of foul dog odors come from a skin problem. Specifically it inhibits AP-1 which is a factor in collagens production – a prime contributor to constant foul dog smell.

Signs of Zinc Deficiencies in a Dog's Skin
Zinc is a trace element that is a vital and needed mineral for a dog. When a dog is deficient in zinc one of the first places they will show symptoms is on their skin, Typical conditions and first signs include increased shedding, more and more itching and scratching, dandruff like flaking, and sometimes a foul odor. In addition to this, other health related issue will begin to develop. Many people ask the question, is a zinc deficiency internal or external (on the skin) and how can it be replenished? The answer is both. Zinc deficiencies can be corrected both externally (i.e., RenuPlex Medicated Dog Shampoo), as well as internally (SkinPlex Enzymes and nutrients). External treatment is more immediate but will not provide a permanent cure. Internal treatment of a combination of enzymes and zinc will provide the permanent and lasting relief, however it takes about 3 to 4 weeks to fully take effect. This is why it is so important to treat dog skin problems both internally and externally.

Interesting Information:
Zinc is the most abundant natural "fighter" on a dog's skin. In fact over 32% of the skin is comprised of zinc which is responsible for fighting and protecting the skin, glands, hair follicles, and membranes from infections and health related problems. Zinc PCA is one of the most powerful and effective element at killing and preventing bacteria, yeast infection, and germs. Zinc prevents infections

While zinc is an essential mineral to be included in a canine diet, too much can be detrimental to a dog's health. If you are a pet owner, knowing the difference between "just enough" and "too much" is important. Also, learning the signs of zinc toxicity may help you save your pet in the unfortunate event of a poisoning. You'll be able to effectively spot the signs of poisoning and seek medical attention immediately. Here is a link detailing the toxicity.

http://www.ehow.com/list_6184199_toxic-effects-zinc.html