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Could zinc/methionine supplements be causing hot spots in my husky?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Our Siberian husky had severe hair loss several years ago. The vet prescribed zinc 15mg/methionine 30 mg and it cleared up. Now he is losing hair again & we have been supplementing both siberians with a new bottle daily for 3 weeks. The hair problemhas cleared up but both have suddenly developed hotspots for the first time ever which has been treated with mucuprocin ointment which has cleared them up. Could the zinc/methionine be causing hot spots?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

Published on December 4th, 2018

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The zinc/methionine are not likely causing this. This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. A secondary infection is likely and also needs to be addressed. Other possibilities such as mange need to also be considered and a physical examination and basic diagnostics should help sort that out.

There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies.

Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market).

If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests.

Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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