The possible role of zinc in excessive shedding of hair in two Persian cats

Abstract

This study was conducted to identify the possible correlation between zinc deficiency and excessive shedding of hair in cats. Two male cats aged 2 and 3 years old, Persian breeds, and weighing 2.9 and 3.2 kg were presented to the Veterinary Hospital of Shahid Chamran University with chief complaints of excessive shedding of hair, depressed appetite, and weight loss in the past month. Physical examination revealed a relatively weak body condition. Serum zinc, copper, calcium, and iodine concentrations were measured using commercially available kits (Randox Laboratories, UK) with a spectrophotometer (Shimadzu, UV-1601). Total protein concentrations were assessed with a refractometer also. A decrease in zinc concentrations (35 and 41 μg/dl) was observed in the studied cats, respectively. Based on the clinical history, physical examination, biochemical analysis, and response to treatment, zinc absolute deficiency was diagnosed. In this survey, the status of copper, calcium, iodine concentrations, and total proteins was normal. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there was no report of zinc deficiency in pet animals in Iran. A possible relationship between zinc deficiency and excessive shedding of hair has been reported in the present survey.

Detection of feline Parvovirus (FPV) from Cats infected with Enteritis Using rapid test and Polymerase Chain Reaction in Iraq

“…In case of type of living to the studied groups were studied, the stray (free living ) and pet (house hold ), the incidence of FPV of these groups which appeared in stray cats more prevalent than pet as shown in (Table 3). These results were compatible with those obtained by (7,14), this may be due to frequent prone to the virus in the environment because the virus more resist to adverse environmental condition. Also, "the stray cats might be with important role in transfering of virus to healthy pet when it was roaming in the houses seeking on food".…”

“…The results had" significan differences (P˂ 0.05)" when compared with control healthygroup.The sensitivity of these tests were 79.62%, Specifity 95.34 %, Positive predictive value 96.55, Prevalence 55.67. These outcomes considered compatible with (7,14) the results represented in figure (2 and 3). Also, the concordance with the results of (15), who showed the seroprevalence of the virus in Guatemala was 50%.…”

“…These current results were agreement with (14) results and disagree with (7) who showed that the prevalence of virus in males more than females .…”

“…The results were supported with invistigations of (7,14) who showed the prevalence of virus in Bangladesh and Iran, respectively, at same age groups that have high tendency to infection, because of an affinity of pathogen for replication in most body's tissues at this time because of it has a tropism to infect rapidly dividing cells specially at S phase of growth cycle which were more abundant at these periods (4,10).…”

“…Although, the prior trials are high sensitivity, specificity with reproduciblity, they need for expert scientific laboratories and high experience. On the other hand, the immune chromatography test has been demonstrated that its most effective and rapid detectable technique in practical clinics and can be applied in fields due to an complicated trial routine, and can be obtained by a veterinarian or owner (7) .…”