Description
Chronic enteropathies are common in dogs and cats and frequently associated with cobalamin deficiency. Signs of cobalamin deficiency include anorexia, weight loss, and intestinal changes including villous atrophy and malabsorption of other vitamins and nutrients. In dogs hypocobalaminaemia is a negative prognostic indicator and associated with an increased risk of euthanasia.
Restoration of normal serum cobalamin levels usually involves repeated parenteral injections, although recent data has shown oral supplementation to be effective.
This presentation will discuss the reasons for, and consequences of, cobalamin deficiency in chronic enteropathies and data to support oral cobalamin use.
Learning objectives:
Chronic enteropathies in dogs and cats are frequently associated with cobalamin deficiency.
Cobalamin deficiency results in several clinical and metabolic consequences.
Oral cobalamin supplementation is an effective alternative to parenteral administration.
