Vitamin K is essential for dogs and exists in different forms. Vitamin K1, also known as phylloquinone, is plant-based and found in green leafy vegetables. It supports blood clotting and is absorbed in the small intestine with the help of bile salts. A deficiency can result in increased bleeding. Vitamin K2, also called menaquinone, has multiple subtypes and is longer lasting than K1. It is produced by intestinal bacteria and absorbed in the ileum and colon to strengthen bones. Dogs require 1 microgram of vitamin K per kilogram of body weight daily.

1. Importance of Vitamin K
for your Dog

2. Dr. Preethi Sudarshanie Dassanayake (B.V.Sc.,
M. Sc., MBA)
Veterinary Teaching Hospital,
University of Peradeniya
Sri Lanka.
dassanayakepreethi @ gmail.com
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3. Vitamin K
▪ Essential for dogs.
▪ Family of compounds.
▪ Common chemical structure is 2-
methyl-1,4naphthoquinone.
▪ The simplest form is menadione
(Vitamin K3).
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4. Vitamin K
▪ Based on the alkyl (R) group, can be
classified as;
 K1 – Phylloquinone (R-phytyl).
 K2 -Menaquinone (R –prenyl).
 K3 -Menadione (no side chain).
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5. Structure of Vitamin K1 , K2 & K3
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6. Vitamin K
▪ Vitamin K1 –Plant origin. Found in
green leafy vegetables.
▪ Vitamin K2 –Animal origin or
synthesized by gut flora. Found in
fermented foods , meat &dairy
products.
▪ Vitamin K3 –Synthetic product.6

7.  Is a single substance.
 Known as Phylloquinone.
 Fat- soluble.
 It is more efficiently absorb
with some fats.
 Supports blood clotting.
 Found in green leafy
vegetables.
Vitamin K1
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8. Absorption & Transport of
Vitamin K1
▪ Bile salts and pancreatic secretions
facilitate absorption of Vitamin K1.
▪ Absorbed in the proximal small
intestine.
▪ After absorption, transport to the liver
& activate proteins needed for blood
clotting.8

9. Vitamin K1
 Prevents excessive
bleeding.
 Half-life is about 1-2
hours.
Symptoms of deficiency;
• Increased bleeding
time & Increased
bleeding from mucous
membranes.
 Causes for deficiency;
• Lack of green leafy
vegetables in the diet.
• Anticoagulant
medication & prolonged
antibiotic usage.
• Fat metabolism
disorders.
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10. Vitamin K2
▪ Known as
Menaquinone.
▪ Fat-soluble.
▪ More beneficial than
Vitamin K1.
▪ Is a family of simillar
molecules called as MK.
▪ Divided into 2 subtypes
(MK-4 & MK-7).
 Can be synthesized by
intestinal bacteria.
 Absorbed in the ileum
& colon.
 Prolonged half-life.
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11. Vitamin K2
Found in fermented foods
(cheese), liver, egg yolk,
butter & chicken liver.
Deficiency symptoms:
 Weak bones.
 Arterial calcification.
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12. Absorption & Transport of
Vitamin K2
▪ Absorbed in the ileum & colon.
▪ Transport to bone marrow and
produce osteocalcin.
▪ Osteocalcin is a small noncollagenous
protein hormone.
▪ It supports metabolic regulation.
▪ Found in bone and dentin.12

13. Dietary Vitamin K requirements for dogs
1mcg per Kg body weight per day.
(1mcg /Kg /day)
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14. Functions of Vitamin K2
Bone;
 Improves density of
bones.
 Reduction of fracture
possibilities.
 Supports bone
remodeling.
Liver;
 Facilitate liver
regeneration.
 Supports blood
coagulation.
 Assists recovery from
liver diseases.
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15. Functions of Vitamin K2
Cardiovascular system;
 Prevents from
cardiovascular disease.
 Inhibits vascular
calcification.
 Improves vascular
elasticity.
 Prevents arterial
stiffening.
Kidney;
 Reduces vascular
calcification.
 Increases glomerular
filtration rate.
 Enhances renal arterial
functions.
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16. Functions of Vitamin K2
Fat tissue;
 Improves body weight.
 Improves body
composition.
 Inhibits fat cell
proliferation.
Immunomodulation;
 anti-inflammatory
action.
 Inhibits T- cells
proliferation.
 Inhibits T- cells
activity.
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17. Functions of Vitamin K2
Cellular level;
 Anti-oxidant.
 Supports ATP
generation.
 Carboxylates VK2-
dependent proteins.
Cancer;
 Used in cancer
therapy.
 Inhibits growth &
metastasis of some
cancers.
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18. Place your screenshot
here
Vitamin K rich food sources
• Cabbages, Spinach.
• Cucumber, Kale.
• Broccoli, Beans.
• Cauliflower, Apple.
• Carrots, Eggs.
• Dairy products.
• Chicken, meat.
• Beetroots.
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19. THANKS!
Any questions?
Photo Cortesy- Google Image.
Slides: Slidecarnival.
You can find me at
dassanayakepreethi@gmail.com.
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