304 PA R T T W O Patient Management and Nutrition

TABLE 12-3 Vitamins

Vitamin Function Deficiency Toxic Effects
Vitamin A Component of visual proteins, Anorexia, retarded growth, Cervical spondylosis (cat),
differentiation of epithelial cells, poor hair coat, weakness, retarded growth, anorexia,
spermatogenesis, immune function, increased cerebrospinal fluid erythema, long-bone fractures
bone resorption pressure, eye disorders, asper-
matogenesis, fetal resorption
Vitamin D Ca2+ and P homeostasis, bone Rickets, osteoporosis, Hypercalcemia, calcinosis,
mineralization and resorption, osteomalacia lameness, anorexia
insulin synthesis, immune function
Vitamin E Biologic antioxidant, maintains Sterility (males), steatitis, Minimally toxic, increased
membrane integrity anorexia, dermatosis, clotting time reversed with
immunodeficiency, myopathy vitamin K
Vitamin K Allows blood clotting protein Prolonged clotting time, hemor- Minimally toxic, anemia (dogs),
formation rhage, hypoprothrombinemia none described in cats
Vitamin B Multiple metabolic reactions, component Retarded growth, diarrhea, Low toxicity, except niacin in the
complex of energy-producing biochemical emaciation, ataxia, anemia, cat, which can cause convulsions
reactions that produce energy and allow dermatitis and death
proper function of tissues and organs
Vitamin C Synthesized from D-glucose in dogs Deficiency symptoms have not None described in dogs and cats
and cats; synthesis of collagen proteins been described in normal dogs
and carnitine, biologic antioxidant and cats
Choline Component of membranes, Fatty liver (puppies), thymus None described in cats and dogs
neurotransmitter atrophy, decreased growth None described in cats and
rate, anorexia dogs
Carnitine (vitamin- Transports long-chain fatty acids into Hyperlipidemia, cardiomyopathy,
like nutrient) the cell muscle asthenia
From Hand MS et al, editors: Small animal clinical nutrition, ed 4, Topeka, 2000, Mark Morris Institute.
Ca, Calcium; P, phosphorus.
McCurnin's Clinical Textbook for Veterinary Technicians 7th Ed: Bassert & McCurnin

All commercial pet food contains vitamins. However,
patients can have vitamin deficiencies. For example, cats
fed home-cooked diets rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids
(found in fish) are at risk for developing a deficiency of vita-
min E. The deficiency causes a painful inflammation of adi-
pose tissue and is commonly known as “yellow fat disease”
or pansteatitis.
Vitamin K deficiency is also clinically observed. Vitamin
K plays a critical role in the coagulation of blood, and de-
ficiencies result in clotting abnormalities and hemorrhage.
Warfarin, found in rodent poison, interferes with the avail-
ability of vitamin K and causes fatal hemorrhaging in mice
and rats. Pets that consume warfarin-poisoned rodents can
become poisoned themselves and may slowly bleed to death
without emergency supplementation of vitamin K.
TECHNICIAN NOTE Vitamin K plays a critical role
in the coagulation of blood, and deficiencies result in
clotting abnormalities and hemorrhage.
Certain vitamins, such as vitamins C and E, are antioxi-
dants and help free the body of the damaging effects of free
radicals. The supplementation of these vitamins above the
normal daily requirements can be beneficial. Antioxidants
function as electron donors and oxygen and free radical scav-
engers. They also destroy invading organisms and help to
restore damaged tissues. Nutritional antioxidants in canine
food helps protect immune function and improve cognitive
dysfunction in senior dogs.
Breakthrough research in the field of animal nutrition has
also improved senior pet food by the addition of multiple
antioxidant agents and omega-3 fatty acids to support cell
membranes, protect against free radical damage, and help
improve skin and coat condition. In addition, antioxidant
additives in pet food may be a natural alternative to synthetic
preservatives and improve palatability.
There are vitamin-like compounds that exhibit properties
similar to those of vitamins, but are technically not classi-
fied as true vitamins. These include carnitine, carotenoids,
and bioflavonoids. Their functions include: the metabolism
of fatty acids, support of electron transport, and antioxidant
capability.
An emerging area of food and food technology includes
the clinical use of nutraceuticals. Nutraceuticals are defined
in veterinary medicine as endogenous substances that may
provide medical or health benefits. They are either specifi-
cally defined by the FDA or not defined or regulated. Nu-
traceuticals have grown in popularity over the past decade;
currently, dietary supplements are sold in health food stores,
supermarkets, pharmacies, and over the Internet. Clearly,
there is a need for increased scientific research in the area of
alternative medicine focusing on the mechanism of action,
efficacy, and safety of nutraceuticals. Information should be