Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Low vitamin B12 and acid levels in dogs with chronic gut disease
By Berghoff, Nora et al.·Published in American journal of veterinary research·2013·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Serum cobalamin and methylmalonic acid concentrations in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 56 dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease was tested for low vitamin B12 levels (hypocobalaminemia) and a related compound called methylmalonic acid (MMA). It was found that 36% of these dogs had low vitamin B12, which was significantly lower than in healthy dogs. Some of the dogs with low vitamin B12 also had high MMA levels, suggesting that low vitamin B12 can be common in dogs with gut issues. This condition can lead to worse outcomes, so if your dog has ongoing stomach problems, it’s important to discuss vitamin B12 levels with your vet.
People also search for: dog chronic gastrointestinal disease · low vitamin B12 in dogs · dog stomach problems treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of hypocobalaminemia or methylmalonic acidemia (or both) in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease. SAMPLE: Serum samples from 56 dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease and 43 control dogs. PROCEDURES: Serum cobalamin and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations were measured in all samples and compared between groups. A correlation between serum cobalamin and MMA concentrations and the canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index was evaluated via the Spearman rank correlation. RESULTS: 20 of 56 (36%) dogs with gastrointestinal disease had hypocobalaminemia. Serum cobalamin concentrations were significantly lower in dogs with gastrointestinal disease than in control dogs. Five of 56 (9%) dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease and 5 of 20 (25%) hypocobalaminemic dogs had increased MMA concentrations. There was a significant negative correlation (Spearman r = -0.450) between serum cobalamin and MMA concentrations in dogs with gastrointestinal disease. No correlation was found between the canine chronic enteropathy clinical activity index and serum cobalamin or MMA concentrations. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data indicated the prevalence of hypocobalaminemia in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease was 20 of 56 (36%). Five of 20 (25%) hypocobalaminemic dogs had increased serum MMA concentrations, which indicated that although hypocobalaminemia was common in these dogs, it did not always appear to be associated with a deficiency of cobalamin on a cellular level. Hypocobalaminemia is a risk factor for negative outcome in dogs with chronic gastrointestinal disease and should be considered in every patient with corresponding clinical signs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23270350/