Vitamins and Their Functions

Study Notes

Vitamins

Vitamin A (retinol): Essential for vision, cell growth, reproduction, immune function, and healthy skin. Deficiency leads to eye problems, reproductive failure, skin lesions, and poor coat. Excess can cause joint abnormalities, poor reproductive performance, and weight loss. Good sources include liver, fish, carrots, cod liver oil, leafy greens, egg yolks, and dairy products.
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol): Crucial for the absorption and utilization of calcium and phosphorus. Deficiency results in bone disorders, weight loss. Excess can lead to bone abnormalities, calcification of soft tissues, depression, anorexia, and lameness. Sources include fatty fish, tinned salmon, eggs, cod liver oil, cheese, and yogurt.
Vitamin E (alpha tocopherol): Acts as an antioxidant. Deficiency can cause muscle weakness, sterility in males, dermatosis, and immunodeficiency. Excess is minimally toxic. Sources are found in a limited supply in foods.
Vitamin K (menaquinone): Vital for blood clotting. Deficiency increases the tendency to bruise and bleed. Excess is minimally toxic. Found in liver, meat, leafy greens, and other vegetables.
Vitamin C (menaquinone): Acts as an antioxidant. Deficiency is unlikely in healthy dogs. Excess has low toxicity. Found in fruits, and vegetables.
Vitamin B: Comprise a group of vitamins working together, crucial for various functions. Deficiency can lead to inflammation of the nerves, heart failure, blood disorders, and may be part of DNA components. Excess is not observed. Widely found in most foods.
Choline: Essential for healthy liver function and acts as a neurotransmitter. Deficiency can result in fatty liver. Excess is not observed. Primarily found in beef liver and heart, red meats, and eggs.

Minerals

** Calcium:** Vital for strong bones and teeth, muscle function, and nerve transmission. Deficiency can cause bone disorders, lameness, decreased growth, and hyperparathyroidism. Excess leads to severe bone and joint abnormalities. Good sources include egg shells, dairy products, dark leafy greens, and bananas.
Phosphorus: Contributes to bone structure, construction of cell membranes, and energy production. Deficiency results in poor appetite, decreased growth, dull coat, and bone disorders. Excess can lead to calcium deficiency and promote kidney damage. Widely found in most foods.
Potassium & Sodium: Essential for cellular function, osmotic balance, and energy metabolism. Deficiency causes restlessness, muscle paralysis, poor growth, heart, and kidney lesions. Excess only occurs if there is inadequate access to good quality water. Found in meat, fish, dairy, eggs, bananas, sweet potatoes, and broccoli.
Magnesium: Important for a healthy heart, bone structure, and energy production. Deficiency can cause muscle weakness, convulsion seizures, and heart conditions. Excess can lead to diarrhea and gas. Found in red meat by-products (RMBs), whole grains, leafy green vegetables, bananas, and beef heart.
Iron: Helps red blood cells carry oxygen throughout the body.