Download - Hypervitaminosis
Hypervitaminosis
The result of toxic levels of vitamins on the system
Vitamin A
Beta-carotene & retinol Beta-carotene sources: carrots, dandelion greens,
broccoli, kale spinach, turnips, apricots, melon, sweet potato
Retinol sources: fish liver oils, diary, egg yolks, liver Function:
– Maintains healthy coat & skin– Promotes bone growth– Protects against infection– Aids in treatment of eye disorders
Hypervitaminosis A
Highest occurence in cats fed mostly on liver Produces bone hypertrophy (bone growths)
and ankylosing spondylosis (bone fusion) of cervical vertebrae
Also effects foetal brain and eye development
Symptoms in cats
Kangaroo sitting Inability to move head or neck Pain Forelimb lameness
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis by radiography
Prognosis guarded to poor
Cessation of vitamin intake may halt progression, but will not reduce spondylosis
Signs in other animals
ChicksLoss of appetitePoor growthDiarrhoeaEncrustation around mouthReddening of eyelids
PigsRough coatScaly skinHyper-irritabilityHaemorrhages over limbs and abdomenPeriodic tremorsDeath
B Vitamins
B-1 – Thiamine Source: beef liver, kidneys, whole grains, bran
oatmeal, salmon, wheat germ, peanuts & kidney beans
Function – Formation of cocarboxylase enzyme involved in
decarboxylation (citric acid cycle)– Maintains normal function of nervous system– Improves brain power
Hypervitaminosis B-1
B-1 symptom – curare like i.e. paralysis– Blocks nerve transmission– Restlessness, convulsions and labored
respiration– Death results from respiratory paralysis and
cardiac failure
B Vitamins
B-2 – Riboflavin Source: cottage cheese, cheese, wheat germ,
kidney, fish & chicken Function
– Flavoproteins in oxidative phosphorylation– Maintains healthy mucous membranes– Promotes growth– Contributes to vision
Hypervitaminosis B-2
B-2 symptom - Bright yellow urine– Itching– Numbness– Burning or prickling sensations– Sensitivity to light
B Vitamins
B-3 – Niacin Source: beef liver, white chicken meat, peanuts,
salmon, tuna, turkey, whole grains & milk Function
– Coenzyme in hydrogen transport– Maintains muscle tone, healthy skin & coat– Converts food to energy– Prevents seizures (in some cases)
Hypervitaminosis B-3
B-3 symptom – low blood pressure and lightheadedness– Liver damage– Peptic ulcers– Skin rashes
B Vitamins
B-5 – Pantothenic Acid Source: eggs, wheat germ, lentils, liver,
brewers yeast, peas & whole grains Function
– Constituent of coenzyme A (CoA)– Improves longevity– Aids in wound healing– Protects against stress & infection
Hypervitaminosis B-5
B-5 – symptom
– diarrhea
B Vitamins
B-6 – Pyridoxine Source: bananas, bran, brewers yeast, carrots,
salmon, tuna, wheat germ, lentils, whole grain cereals
Function– Coenzyme for amino & fatty acid metabolism– Promotes red-blood cell formation– Maintains strong immune system– Contributes to healthy nervous system
Hypervitaminosis B-6
B-6 – symptom – neurological disorders– Nerve damage in limbs– Effects balance & co-ordination– Decrease sensation to touch and temperature
B Vitamins
B-12 – Cyanocobalamin - produced by intestinal bacteria
Source: sardines, herring, milk products, eggs, organ meats (liver, kidney, brain) & beef
Function– Nucleoprotein synthesis– Formation of erythrocytes (red blood cells)– Used to treat anaemia– Promotes normal growth– Stimulates weight gain in puppies
Hypervitaminosis B-12
B-12 – reduction in size of vascular controlled reflexes
B Vitamins
Biotin – A B vitamin also known as Vitamin H Source: brown rice, diary products, egg yolk,
chicken, liver, tomatoes, lentils & oats Function
– Protein & Fatty acid synthesis– Prevents skin problems– Facilitates metabolism of amino acids & carbohydrates– Promotes health of nerve cells
Hypervitaminosis Biotin
Biotin – Scurfy skin, due to hyperkeratosis of the
superficial follicular epithelia
Vitamin C
Ascorbic Acid Source: oranges, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, kiwi,
rose hips, strawberries (most fruit & veg) Function
– Essential for formation of collagen– Promotes tissue & wound healing– Can detoxify blood– Can reduce pain of arthritis
Hypervitaminosis C
may acidify the urine, cause nausea and diarrhoea, interferes with the healthy antioxidant-
prooxidant balance in the body in patients with thalassemia or
haemochromatosis, promote iron overload
Vitamin D
Cholecalciferol Sources: sun exposure, salmon, sardines,
cod-liver oil, herring & mackerel Function:
– Used by Osteoclasts in bone for demineralization
Hypervitaminosis D
Causes high levels of calcium and phosphorus in blood, arteries and organs
Via re-absorption of bone and deposits of calcium in soft tissue
– i.e. calcification in ox heart dissected in class
Bone
We constantly renew bone Calcium and phosphate in blood plasma help
to make bone Vitamins A & D also aid parathyroid hormone
in bone demineralization High levels of Vitamin D may produce bone
re-absorption without parathyroid hormone
Vitamin E
Alpha-tocopherol (antioxidant) Source: wheat germ, whole wheat floor, margarine,
corn oil, peanut oil & eggs Function
– Anti-blood clotting agent– Promotes muscle growth & repair– Improves immune system– Promotes healing of skin problems– Improves heart & circulatory system
Hypervitaminosis E
Vitamin E inhibits vitamin K and therefore reduces platelet production
Increased bleeding Impaired immune system – causing necrotizing
enterocolitis Diarrhoea and intestinal cramps include fatigue, muscle weakness, delayed
wound healing, and headaches
Vitamin K
Phytonadione - produced by intestinal bacteria
Source: alfalfa, cheddar cheese, oats, spinach & brussel sprouts
Function– Prevents abnormal bleeding– Used by the liver to make blood platelets
Used to treat dogs poisoned by warfarin
Hypervitaminosis K
Causes excess clotting of the blood
– leading to thrombosis and potential sudden death should clots form in brain or heart
Folic Acid
Folacin, pteroylglutamic acid Sources: Meats Function
– Nucleoprotein synthesis– Formation of erythrocytes (red blood cells)
Hypervitaminosis Folic Acid
– Inhibition of hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase– Stomach problems– Sleep problems– Skin reactions
Storage
Vitamins C, B & A (beta-carotene) are water soluble and quickly eliminated from the body
Vitamins A (retinol), D & E are fat soluble and become concentrated in the liver
Vitamin K is also fat soluble
N.B. up to 20 times the RDA of vitamins & minerals have been found in commercial pet food