A standardized oral zinc tolerance test for assessment of zinc absorption in dogs

Three oral zinc tolerance tests using increasing doses of elemental zinc (0.5, 0.75 and 1.0 mg/kg) given as zinc sulphate (ZnSO₄.7H₂O) were carried out in eight normal beagles. The zinc tolerance curves obtained were similar to those described in man, with the peak plasma zinc concentration occurring 2 h after dosing. There was a considerable variation between individual animals in the peak plasma zinc concentration achieved with each dose. This would appear to limit the value of a zinc tolerance test in assessing the efficiency of zinc absorption in individuals, although it may be of value in making comparisons between groups of dogs.Abbreviations AUC area under the concentration/time curve