Vitamin E is an essential fat-soluble vitamin for dogs that was discovered in 1922. It exists in two forms, tocopherols and tocotrienols, with alpha-tocopherol being the most common and biologically active form. Vitamin E is absorbed in the small intestine and transported through the body via chylomicrons and lipoproteins to be stored mainly in the liver and adipose tissue. It supports skin and coat health, the immune system, fertility, muscle function, and wound healing while also protecting cells from free radical damage and improving cardiovascular health. A vitamin E deficiency in dogs can lead to muscle degeneration and retinal issues.

1. Vitamin E &
your pooch
Dr.Preethi Sudarshanie
Dassanayake (B.V.Sc., M.Sc., MBA)
Veterinary Teaching Hospital
University of Peradeniya
Sri Lanka

2. Vitamin E
▰ Is an essential vitamin for your dog.
▰ Is fat-soluble.
▰ Discovered by Herbert Evans & Katherine Bishop
(1922).
▰ First isolated pure form by Evans & Gladys A.
Emerson (1935).
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3. Vitamin E can be found in two forms.
▰ Tocopherols.
α-tocopherol
β-tocopherol
γ-tocopherol
δ-tocopherol
▰ Tocotrienols
α-tocotrienols
β-tocotrienols
γ-tocotrienols
δ-tocotrienols.
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4. ▰ Most common form is α-tocopherol.
▰ Natural & biologically most active form.
▰ It’s chemical formula (C29 H50 O2).
▰ α-tocopherol structure:
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α-tocopherol

5. Absorption, Transport, Storage & Excretion
Absorption
Mostly absorb in the
small intestine as
alcohol. Fascilitated
by bile and
pancreatic lipase.
Absorption is
incorporated with fat
absorption.
Transport
Incorporated in to
chylomicrons and
release to lymphatic
to transport to liver.
Then bind with very
low density
lipoproteins and
transport through out
the body.
Excretion & Storage
Mainly excrete
through bile. Small
amount excrete
through urine. Mainly
stored in liver
followed by adipose
tissue.
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6. ▰ Supports healthy skin & coat.
▰ Improve immune system.
▰ Increase fertility.
▰ Improve muscular functions.
▰ Rapid wound healing.
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Functions of Vitamin E

7. ▰ Improve cardiovascular health.
▰ Antioxidant- protects cells from free radical
damage.
▰ Protects polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA)
from oxidation.
▰ Improves vision.
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Functions continue…

8. ▰ Degeneration of cardiac, skeletal & smooth
muscles.
▰ Retinal degeneration.
▰ Reproductive failure in both sexes.
▰ Suffers skin related conditions.
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Vitamin E deficiency

9. Vitamin E Recommended Allowance
(NRC, 2006)
7.5 mg /1000 Kcal
1.0 mg /MBW
30mg /Kg DM
(4000Kcal)
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10. Foods rich in
vitamin E
 Spinach.
 Coconut.
 Olive oil.
 Shrimp.
 Brocolli.
 Sun flower oil.
 Green leafy vegetables.
 Eggs.
 Salmon.
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11. Thanks!
Any questions?
You can find me at:
dassanayakepreethi@gmail.com
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12. Credits
Special thanks to all the people who made and
released these awesome resources for free:
▰ Presentation template by SlidesCarnival
▰ Photographs by Google image.
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