What symptoms can result from unmanaged zinc deficiency in Northern breeds like the Laika?

Poor coat quality, excessive itching, painful skin lesions, and eye inflammation.

When the Yakutian Laika’s genetic predisposition for poor zinc absorption is left unaddressed, the resulting zinc deficiency manifests in several observable and painful physical symptoms affecting the integumentary and sensory systems. Dermatologically, a deficiency severely impacts skin and coat health, leading directly to poor coat quality, pronounced and excessive itching, and the development of painful skin lesions. Furthermore, the lack of adequate zinc impacts ocular health, often resulting in eye inflammation, such as the specific condition known as zinc-responsive conjunctivitis. In severe or prolonged cases, the deficiency can even progress to affect the nervous system, potentially causing neurological signs like disorientation or seizures. This array of potential symptoms underscores why combining necessary macronutrient balance with targeted, proactive micronutrient supplementation, specifically for zinc, is deemed essential for the breed's well-being.