Heavy metal exposure in the most unlikely of circumstances

By Helen Burns | Dated October 22, 2020

Tiny Doopy the toy poodle who weighs just over 2kg was suffering from a rash after grooming. Over the following week, things got worse for poor Doopy, and his owners noticed that he had lost his appetite and had no energy, so he was brought in to Gordon Vet. A blood test showed that Doopy was anaemic because his red blood cells were being destroyed more quickly than his body could make them. Most frequently we see this type of anaemia, (called a haemolytic anaemia) due to an abnormal reaction from the immune system, however further detective work found a much less common culprit.

Doopy must have licked the zinc oxide  (nappy rash/ulcer cream) that was being applied to his rash, and because he is such a tiny fella, he unfortunately consumed a toxic amount of zinc. It was this toxicity that caused his anaemia and the resulting heart murmur, weakness and lethargy.

We’re very pleased to say that with supportive care Doopy has made a full recovery and is no longer anaemic!