Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a potential consequence of vitamin D deficiency in animals?
What is a potential consequence of vitamin D deficiency in animals?
Which vitamin is primarily known for its antioxidant properties and protecting vitamin A?
Which vitamin is primarily known for its antioxidant properties and protecting vitamin A?
How can cats increase their absorption of vitamin K?
How can cats increase their absorption of vitamin K?
What deficiency disease is associated with a lack of thiamin (B1) in animal diets?
What deficiency disease is associated with a lack of thiamin (B1) in animal diets?
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Which vitamin is unlikely to lead to deficiency due to its widespread presence in food?
Which vitamin is unlikely to lead to deficiency due to its widespread presence in food?
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What can cause niacin (B3) deficiency specifically in cats?
What can cause niacin (B3) deficiency specifically in cats?
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Which deficiency can lead to poor growth and neuropathies in animals?
Which deficiency can lead to poor growth and neuropathies in animals?
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What can high doses of vitamin D lead to in animals?
What can high doses of vitamin D lead to in animals?
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What is a rare consequence of vitamin K toxicity?
What is a rare consequence of vitamin K toxicity?
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Which of the following vitamins is synthesized by most animals including dogs and cats?
Which of the following vitamins is synthesized by most animals including dogs and cats?
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Which of the following vitamins are classified as fat-soluble?
Which of the following vitamins are classified as fat-soluble?
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What is a consequence of excessive supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins?
What is a consequence of excessive supplementation of fat-soluble vitamins?
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What is the body’s storage capability for water-soluble vitamins?
What is the body’s storage capability for water-soluble vitamins?
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Which vitamin deficiency may occur in cases of excessive water loss?
Which vitamin deficiency may occur in cases of excessive water loss?
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What is the dietary source of pre-formed vitamin A for cats?
What is the dietary source of pre-formed vitamin A for cats?
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What type of lesions can occur due to vitamin A deficiency?
What type of lesions can occur due to vitamin A deficiency?
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What is the primary relationship between synthetic and naturally made vitamins in the body?
What is the primary relationship between synthetic and naturally made vitamins in the body?
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Why might vitamin supplementation be unnecessary when feeding a commercial diet?
Why might vitamin supplementation be unnecessary when feeding a commercial diet?
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What condition can result from an improper diet of over-supplemented vitamin A?
What condition can result from an improper diet of over-supplemented vitamin A?
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Which of the following conditions is NOT typically associated with vitamin deficiency?
Which of the following conditions is NOT typically associated with vitamin deficiency?
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Study Notes
Fat-Soluble Vitamins
- Stored in lipid deposits; daily intake not strictly required
- Excess intake can lead to hypervitaminosis (toxicity)
Water-Soluble Vitamins
- Not stored in the body; daily intake is necessary for B vitamins
- Vitamin C synthesized in cats and dogs
- Deficiencies possible with excessive water loss (polyuria, diarrhea), GI issues affecting intestinal flora
Vitamin A
- Source: Animal products (pre-formed vitamin A), plants (provitamin A/carotenoids)
- Function: Vision, bone growth, reproduction, tooth development, epithelial cell maintenance
- Deficiencies: Epithelial lesions (infection), reproductive problems, night blindness
- Toxicity (excess): Skeletal malformation, fractures, internal bleeding
- Cat Requirement: Pre-formed vitamin A from animal sources (fish, organ meats, dairy, eggs)
Vitamin D
- Cat/Dog Sunlight Absorption: Different from humans
- Function: Regulates calcium and phosphorus metabolism
- Source: Harvested plants (not living tissue)
- Function (details): Aids in absorption, mobilization, retention, bone deposition, calcium & phosphorus mineralization and bone remodeling
- Deficiencies: Rickets, osteoporosis, enlarged costochondral junctions
- Toxicity: Hypercalcemia, soft tissue calcification, death
- Source example: Fish oils
Vitamin E
- Function: Antioxidant, protects vitamin A
- Use in pet food: Preservative
- Dog Deficiencies: Degenerative skeletal muscles, impaired sperm production, gestation failure
- Cat Deficiencies: Steatites, myocarditis, skeletal muscle myositis
- Toxicity: Rare
- Source: Plants (green leaves)
Vitamin K
- Unique fat-soluble: Absorbed or synthesized
- Source: Green leafy plants (kale, cabbage, cauliflower), animal sources (liver, egg, fish), some synthesis in the large intestine (coprophagy increases absorption in dogs)
- Function: Blood clotting, bony growth
- Deficiencies: Rare unless ingestion of rat poison, or malabsorption issues (possible spontaneous bleeding)
- Toxicity: Only with oral versus SQ or IV vitamin K therapy
Vitamin B Complex
- Vital for converting food to energy, cell maintenance & growth, and blood cell synthesis
Thiamin (B1)
- Source: Brewer's yeast, whole grains, organ meats, egg yolk
- Breakdown: Progressively destroyed by cooking
- Deficiency: Intake of thiaminases (antagonist) in raw fish, shellfish, bacteria, yeast, or fungi (destroyed by cooking)
Riboflavin (B2)
- Source: Dairy products, organ/muscle meat, eggs, green plants, yeast
- Deficiencies: Uncommon; Dermatitis, erythema, weight loss, cataracts
Niacin (B3)
- Conversion Enhancement: Processing helps release bound niacin
- Cat Sensitivity: Can't synthesize from tryptophan (common in corn/grain diets); dermatitis, diarrhea, death (rare in dogs)
- Source: Yeast, animal/fish byproducts, cereals, legumes, oilseeds
Pyridoxine (B6)
- Cat Sensitivity: Oxalate crystalluria, reduced growth, kidney lesions (reported in owner-made diets)
- Source: Meats, whole grains, vegetables, nuts
Pantothenic Acid (B5)
- Ubiquitous: Found in virtually all foods; no common deficiencies
- Breakdown: Destroyed by freezing, canning, and refining
Folic Acid (B9)
- Daily Requirement: Necessary
- Deficiencies: Poor weight gain, anemia, leukocytopenia
- Source: Green leafy vegetables, organ meats, egg yolks
Biotin (B7)
- Deficiency: Raw egg whites, oral antibiotics; poor growth, dermatitis, lethargy
- Egg Whites: Avidin (in egg whites) binds biotin, making it unavailable; cooking destroys avidin
- Source: Oilseeds, egg yolks, alfalfa meal, liver, yeast
Cobalamin (B12)
- Deficiency: Vegetarian diets, microwave heating; poor growth, neuropathies
- Storage: Excess stored in the liver
- Source: Organ meats, fish, dairy products
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Synthesis: Synthesized by plants and many animals (including dogs & cats)
- Function: Antioxidant, free radical scavenger, drug/steroid metabolism, electron transport
- Animal Source: Animal synthesizes via glucose
- Deficiency/Toxicity: Not typically seen in dogs or cats
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Description
This quiz explores the distinctions between fat-soluble and water-soluble vitamins, their sources, functions, and health implications. Additionally, it covers the specific requirements of certain vitamins for cats and dogs. Test your knowledge on vitamin functions and deficiencies!
