Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Australian shepherd puppy failing to grow treated with vitamin B12
By Gold, Ashley J et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2015·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences (Gold, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Failure to thrive and life-threatening complications due to inherited selective cobalamin malabsorption effectively managed in a juvenile Australian shepherd dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A young Australian shepherd was brought in because he wasn't growing, was weak, and had little appetite. Tests showed he had a serious vitamin B12 deficiency due to a genetic condition that affects how his body absorbs this vitamin. The vet provided supportive care and gave him vitamin B12 injections, which helped him recover. This condition requires lifelong treatment, but with proper care, affected dogs can thrive.
People also search for: Australian shepherd puppy not growing · dog vitamin B12 deficiency treatment · why is my dog weak and not eating
Abstract
A juvenile Australian shepherd dog exhibited failure to grow, inappetence, weakness, nonregenerative anemia, neutropenia, and cobalamin deficiency. DNA testing confirmed homozygosity of an amnionless mutation (AMN c.3G > A). Clinical signs resolved with supportive care and parenteral cobalamin supplementation. Inherited selective intestinal cobalamin malabsorption requiring lifelong parenteral supplementation should be considered in Australian shepherds, giant schnauzers, border collies, and beagles that fail to thrive.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26483576/