Vitamin D is one of the most important yet overlooked nutrients in our pets’ diet. Raw diets, natural diets, grain-free diets, specialty diets, and the list continues, but none of them address a huge problem in their nutrition: Vitamin D levels. Here are 5 reasons why you should be testing Vitamin D levels in all […] Read more »
Background The digestive tract is responsible for the absorption of nutrients and the elimination of waste; hence with chronic enteropathies (CE) and especially protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) these diseases can severely impact a patient’s health and may even result in death. Studies in companion animals have shown that patients with CE and PLE have low stores […] Read more »
It’s clear magnesium (Mg) is important – it’s a cofactor to over 600 enzymatic processes within the body, and the second most abundant intracellular cation. Mg is required for DNA, RNA, protein synthesis, and energy metabolism through its involvement in cell receptor processes. Receptor DysfunctionEvery receptor needs Mg to function. It is involved in the […] Read more »
Cobalamin (B12) and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25D) are dietary derived in both cats and dogs. Studies have shown 25D insufficiency to be a major problem in both species and worsen with age (1,2). B12 malabsorption is strongly associated with both chronic enteropathies (IBD) and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) (3,4). But is there a relationship between the two? […] Read more »
It is common practice to utilize the term “B12/folate” as if it were one, which makes sense when looking at their biological pathways. Both are required for the methylation of homocysteine to methionine. However when discussing sources and deficiencies, they are very different. Whereas the opportunities for cobalamin deficiency are numerous, folate deficiencies are far less common. […] Read more »
Cobalamin (B12) deficiency is frequently encountered in dogs and cats with chronic enteropathies (CE) and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI). B12 metabolism follows a complex array of carriers to be effectively absorbed which can be negatively impacted by intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis. In human patients oral supplementation is often utilized, while repeated parenteral injections is often […] Read more »
Cobalamin (B12) metabolism requires many complex pathways, in which a breakdown of any could lead to B12 deficiency. In a system that has many points for breakdown, having adequate B12 begins with a quality food source. Like vitamin D, animal protein is the primary source of B12 – a concern with vegan diets. Provided there is […] Read more »
It is well documented that cats and dogs with chronic enteropathies (CE), intestinal lymphoma, or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are often cobalamin (B12) deficient (1,2). Problems with intrinsic factor binding to ileal receptors in the diseased tissue leads to B12 deficiency. Current supplementation protocol calls for repeated parenteral injections of hydroxycobalamin over 6 weeks bypassing the diseased tissue. […] Read more »
There is a growing trend for pet-owners to avoid commercial pet food in favor of a more natural homemade diet. When planning homemade diets, the balance of micronutrients, including vitamin D, should be emphasized. VDI, in conjunction with Tufts University and the University of Missouri, conducted a study looking at VitD absorption in 320 […] Read more »
Obesity impacts vitamin D equilibrium. Please review the tech brief below on how it applies to your Test & Treat patients. Contact VDI with any questions. Background: Vitamin D undergoes a series of enzymatic reactions ultimately becoming the active hormone calcitriol. However, since vitamin D is fat soluble, it is readily taken up within the adipose tissue. The adipose […] Read more »
