Causes of Vitamin A Deficiency in Dogs Vitamin A deficiency can be supplemented by food

Oct 28,2023
4Min

The causes of vitamin A deficiency in dogs:

1. Vitamin A deficiency in dogs is rare, but if they are fed a single feed with incomplete nutrition for a long time, or suffer from chronic gastroenteritis for a long time, the vitamin A deficiency will be affected. Dogs that absorb A are prone to this disease.
2. Dogs during pregnancy and lactation have an increased need for vitamin A. If the vitamin A content in food is not increased at this time, it will not only cause the dog to suffer from vitamin A deficiency disease, and also affects the growth, development and disease resistance of fetuses or young dogs.
3. Fat in food can promote the digestion and absorption of vitamin A by the dog’s digestive tract. Therefore, a lack of fat and protein in food can also lead to vitamin A deficiency in dogs.

Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency in dogs:

1. Vitamin A deficiency in adult dogs manifests as anorexia, weight loss, and sparse coat. In further development, keratosis of hair follicles, increased dandruff, night blindness, and dry eye disease may occur. The cornea becomes thickened and turbid, the conjunctiva is inflamed, the eyes are wet with tears, and there is red secretion.
2. Due to changes in squamous epithelial cells, the surface of the cornea becomes dry and blood vessels appear. After secondary bacterial infection, the cornea develops ulcers and perforations.
3. Vitamin A deficiency in male dogs: testicular atrophy, few or no sperm in the semen.
4. Vitamin A deficiency in female dogs: in severe cases, they are not in estrus. In mild cases, although they are in estrus and pregnant, they are prone to miscarriage or stillbirth. Even if they give birth to weak live offspring, they are also susceptible to respiratory diseases and survive. rate is low. Retained placenta is also common after delivery. 5. Young dogs that survive postpartum often have thickened skulls and vertebrae due to skeletal deformities. The foramen magnum narrows, compressing the cerebellum and spinal cord. Clinical manifestations include ataxia, tremors and spasms, and finally paralysis. All pups in the litter are affected, but the severity is different.

Prevention and treatment of vitamin A deficiency in dogs:

1. Dogs suffering from vitamin A deficiency after weaning often die of secondary respiratory diseases. Refer to the vitamin A requirements of adult and growing young dogs, increase the supply of dogs during pregnancy and lactation, and promote the digestion and absorption of vitamin A.
2. Add an appropriate amount of fat to food. Strengthen feeding and feed more green vegetables, carrots, yellow corn, milk, eggs, meat and other foods rich in vitamin A and carrots. If necessary, add an appropriate amount of cod liver oil to the food.
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