- Vitamins&Minerals: Vitamin A or retinoids or imp. in regulation of proliferation, growth, differentiation, and maintenance of epithelial tissues. Commonly used retinoids are Isotretinoin and The dosage is 1–3 mg/kg/day.
- Zinc is an important factor of many enzyme systems and is necessary for maintenance of growth, metabolism, normal reproduction, and hormonal regulation. It is essential for keratinization and immune function. Zinc supplementation is given in cases of insufficient intestinal absorption, including deficiency syndrome I (Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Malamutes) and syndrome II (rapidly growing dogs on zinc-deficient diets). Dietary deficiency may be either absolute or relative—diets high in phytates or minerals may inhibit zinc absorption. For syndrome I, zinc supplementation is given as elemental zinc 1 mg/kg/day, PO (zinc sulfate 10 mg/kg, zinc gluconate 5 mg/kg, or zinc methionine 1.7 mg/kg). Supplementation is typically lifelong. If the response is insufficient after 4 wk, the dose should be increased by 50%. Low-dose corticosteroids may also enhance zinc absorption through induction of metallothionein in some nonresponsive cases. Animals with syndrome II normally respond to correction of the diet with resolution within 2–6 wk, although supplementation speeds this process.
- Hereditary zinc deficiency associated with deficient intestinal absorption has also been reported in Friesian, Danish Black Pied, and Shorthorn cattle. There is a rapid response to zinc oxide given at 0.5 g/day, PO, or zinc sulfate at 2 g, PO, given weekly. Response to zinc supplementation is usually rapid (a few days) except for cases of achromotrichia, which requires several weeks for resolution.
- Medicated shampoos include antimicrobial and antiseborrheic products. The most widely used antibacterial shampoos contain chlorhexidine or benzoyl peroxide. Antiseborrheic shampoos contain some combination of tar, sulfur, and salicylic acid—ingredients that are keratoplastic and keratolytic. Tar is recommended for oily seborrhea, and sulfur and salicylic acid are recommended for scaly seborrhea. Most animals benefit from products that contain all three agents; however, tar products are contraindicated in cats.
- Alpacas: They were moderately to severely pruritic, had extensive lesions of alopecia, erythema, scaling and crusting, and had lost weight. As no drug is currently licensed for the treatment of sarcoptic mange in alpacas in the UK, they were treated with a topical solution of amitraz (50 mL in 10 L) after initial bathing with antibacterial or keratolytic shampoos. The clinical signs completely resolved with no relapse over a 10‐month follow‐up period. In this small group of alpacas, amitraz was an effective and well‐tolerated treatment for sarcoptic mange.