Vitamins Flashcards
(24 cards)
Fat soluble vitamins
A, D, E, K
Deficiency accompanies fat malabsorption
Vitamins A and D act like hormones to regulate DNA transcription
Vitamin A and carotenoids
Plants do not contain intact vitamin A (retinol)
Cats do not have enzyme to break down carotenoids, so must be given preformed retinol
Vitamin A Function
Carotenoids act as antioxidants
Have been used to treat solar dermatitis and squamous cell carcinoma in dogs
Vitamin A Deficiency
Night blindness Cutaneous abscesses (seed eating birds)
Vitamin A Toxicity
Cervical spondylosis in cats (fed exclusively liver)
Vitamin D Source
Cats and dogs cannot synthesize in skin
Need external source
Vitamin D Deficiency
Rickets
Chronic renal failure
Vitamin D Toxicity
Hypercalcemia and tissue mineralization
Vitamin E Function
Stimulates immunity
Vitamin E Deficiency
Myopathy, reduced reproduction, mastitis
Common in fish eating animals
Steatitis in cats
Vitamin K Function
Cofactor in synthesis of clotting factors
Vitamin K Deficiency
Hemorrhage as in Warfarin poisoning
Fat malabsorption due to bile duct obstruction
Vitamin C Function
Hydroxylation of proline and lysine in collagen formation
Vitamin C Deficiency
Loose teeth
Poor wound healing
“Scurvy”
Vitamin B1 Thiamin Deficiency
Bracken, fish, heart, and spleen contain thaiminases Ataxia Poorly responsive pupils Cardiac arrhythmias Cerebro cortical necrosis
Vitamin B2 Riboflavin Deficiency
Angular stomatitis in humans
Vitamin B3 Niacin Deficiency
Pellagra-like lesions "black tongue" in dogs Inappetence Poor growth Diarrhea Dermatitis
Vitamin B3 Niacin Toxicity
Unusual
Profound vasodilation
Vitamin B12 Cobalamin Absorption
Dependent on Intrinsic Factor (IF) from stomach and pancreas in dogs and just pancreas in cats
Carrier mediated in ileum
Vitamin B12 Cobalamin Deficiency
Idiopathic malabsorption in Giant Schnauzers (normocytic anemia)
Inappetence
Decreased growth
Neuropathies
Folate Absorption
Proximal small intestine
Folate Deficiency
Poor growth
Decreased dividing cells –> anemia
Decreased WBC count
Possibly diarrhea
Biotin Deficiency
In cats fed diets with raw egg whites
Poor growth
Poor haircoat
Dermatitis
Choline Deficiency
Methionine can be used as substitute for methyl donor function, so supplementation not necessary
Recommended as part of treatement for hepatic lipidosis in cats
