Discuss all essential details about Vitamin A for dogs.

1. VITAMIN A & YOUR DOG
Dr. Preethi Sudarshanie Dassanayake (B.V.Sc. , M.Sc. , MBA)
Veterinary Teaching Hospital
University of Peradeniya
Sri Lanka.

2.  Vitamins defined as any of various organic substances that are
essential in minute quantities to the nutrition of most animals and
some plants, act especially as coenzymes and precursors of
coenzymes in the regulation of metabolic processes but do not
provide energy or serve as building units, and are present in natural
foodstuffs or sometimes produced within the body (Merriam-Webster
Dictionary).

3. Vitamin A
 Essential for dogs.
 It is fat soluble.
 Acts as anti oxidant.
 Common name for the group of fat- soluble retinoids.
 Found in many forms (Retinol, Retinal, Retinyl esters & β – Carotene).
 Retinol found in the circulation.
 Other forms found in foods.

4.  Chemical structure of Vitamin A described by Paul Karrer in 1932.
 Isolation and crystallization done by Harry Holmes and Ruth Corbet in
1937.

5. Functions of Vitamin A in your pooch
 Requires for normal vision.
 For healthy skin & coat.
 Bone growth.
 Reproduction.
 Cellular differentiation.
 Protection by immune response.

6. Signs of Vitamin A deficiency
 Poor growth.
 Night blindness.
 Reproductive disorders.
 Dull coat.
 Prone to itchiness and rashes.

7. DAILY REQUIREMENT- 70 -80 IU PER
KILO GRAM BODY WEIGHT.
 Vitamin A toxicity is uncommon.
 That condition known as Hypervitaminosis A.
 It is a chronic disease.
 Symptoms are:
 Loss of appetite.
 Constipation.
 Stiffness.
 Limping.
 Weakness
 Weight loss.

8. SOURCES
 Carrots, Spinach, Pumpkin, Sweet potatoes, Eggs,
Fish oil, Liver, Dairy products and green leafy
vegetables.