Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Low vitamin B12, folate, and phosphate in sick cats
By Reed, Nicola et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2007·Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cobalamin, folate and inorganic phosphate abnormalities in ill cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 103 cats with various digestive issues were tested for low levels of vitamin B12 (cobalamin) and folate, which are important for their health. The results showed that 16.5% of the cats had low B12 levels and 38.8% had low folate levels. Additionally, nearly half of the cats had low phosphate levels, which can also affect their health. The study suggests that many cats with these digestive problems may benefit from vitamin supplements more often than previously thought.
People also search for: cat low vitamin B12 symptoms · cat folate deficiency treatment · cat digestive issues supplements
Abstract
Hypocobalaminaemia in cats has previously been identified, but the incidence reported has varied, and the frequency of folate deficiency is unknown. The aims of this study were to evaluate the incidence of low cobalamin and folate levels in a population of cats that were suffering predominantly from diseases of the alimentary tract (including the liver and pancreas) and to ascertain whether severity of disease (as assessed by bodyweight and body condition score (BCS)) related to degree of deficiency. The study population comprised 103 cats, of which 16.5% had low cobalamin levels and 38.8% had low folate levels. A serendipitous finding was inorganic phosphate levels below the reference range in 48% of the cases. Significant associations were found between subnormal cobalamin levels and median BCS (P=0.049); combined low folate and low cobalamin and bodyweight (P=0.002), BCS (P=0.024) and inorganic phosphate levels (P=0.003). The finding of low levels of folate and cobalamin in clinical cases suggests that supplementation may be indicated more frequently than is currently recognised.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17392004/