Zinc toxicosis in livestock commonly presents with which combination of signs?

• A. GI, orthopedic, and neurologic signs
• B. Dermal signs only
• C. Cardiac signs only
• D. Respiratory signs only

Answer: (A)

Zinc toxicosis is a multi-systemic issue; after ingestion, zinc damages multiple tissues, leading to a characteristic mix of signs across systems. In the gastrointestinal tract, zinc irritates the mucosa, causing vomiting, anorexia, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In growing livestock, zinc can disrupt bone remodeling and affect joints and cartilage, resulting in lameness, joint swelling, and other orthopedic signs. Zinc can also affect the nervous system, producing ataxia, weakness, tremors, or other neurologic signs. Because the metal impacts digestive, skeletal, and nervous tissues, the combination of GI, orthopedic, and neurologic signs is the most typical presentation. Dermal, cardiac, or respiratory-only presentations are not characteristic of zinc toxicosis.