The impact of omega-3 fatty acids on cats with chronic kidney disease is less clear. Cats cannot produce their own B12. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) deficiency is extremely common in cats with EPI, and is seen in more than half of dogs with the condition. A simple way to start increasing the amount of B12 your cat gets is to make sure she gets plenty of it in her diet. For use as a supplemental nutritive source of vitamin B12 in cattle, horses, swine, sheep, dogs and cats. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. There are oral supplements that come in capsules that can be added to Fluffy's food. If your cat has low amounts of cobalamin than required (below 400 ng/L), your vet may recommend vitamin B12 injection for cats or opt for oral one such as Cobalequin Cobalamin Supplement Vitamin B12, a tiny chicken-flavored tab ideal for cats or dogs weighing below 22 pounds. B vitamin deficiencies are among the most common dietary insufficiencies. Some cats will have a difficult time walking or jumping and display some weakness in the hind end. Bowel disorders affecting the stomach, intestines or pancreas can affect the absorption of vitamin B. Vomiting or diarrhea cause dehydration and loss of vitamin. it depends on what condition is affecting your cat, too -- there are two formulations of B12 -- cyanocobalamin and methylcobalamin most human-intended B12 is cyanocobalamin, as is most of the B12 in a B complex pill -- I'm looking at the super B complex pills … ... Is it ok to give her OTC B12 for humans and how much would the dosage be? Thank you, you're being extremely helpful to me today! Anaphylactic shock and death have been reported in humans following administration of vitamin B12 by injection. i need to give my severely anemic cat a vitamin b complex. How to choose the right food for your cat, A Meow Meow Gif A Day Keeps The Woof Woof Away. Cattle, Horses, Swine and Sheep: 1 to 2 mL. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. If your cat has a disease that may be causing her to be B12 deficient, such as chronic kidney disease, subcutaneous fluids can be an effective way to administer B12. B vitamin supplements are safe and can often help a CKD cat feel better. Important note: No matter which brand of Methyl B12 you buy, please make absolutely sure that it does not contain Xylitol (an artificial sweetener), which can be toxic to cats and dogs. One of the things to consider is that she may not be getting enough vitamin B12. And yes, you have to stick it in your cat. As with injections, there are no issues or worries that she will not absorb the B12 through her digestive tract. Vitamin B12 Dosage And Administration Inject subcutaneously or intramuscularly. You must log in or register to reply here. Some cats have genetic disorders that keep them from absorbing B12. A lack of vitamin B may in itself cause loss of appetite, or occasionally may cause twitching or itching. That means a deficiency in this vitamin can pack a mean punch, with a range of seemingly disconnected symptoms. Vitamin B-12 1000 mcg Injection Indications. But yes, a needle is involved. Unfortunately, since this condition and others such as liver disease, pancreatitis, exocrine pancreatic insufficiency or intestinal lymphoma disrupt normal absorption of this vitamin, a recommended way is the use of B12 injections for cats. The addition of only 4 percent liver to a raw cat food meal will deliver adequate amounts of all of these nutrients. They have problems absorbing B12 (which is why they are deficient), so they don't benefit from taking the vit… A 2014 study found that 13.3% of ninety US canned cat foods had lower thiamine levels than recommended by AAFCO.. Cats with heart and kidney disease need more B vitamins than healthy cats. An unusually complex chemical, vitamin B12 is a nutrient that plays a role in the correct function of your cat’s immune, digestive, and nervous systems. Is it possible that you or a friend could give the injection at home? One of the treatments given by veterinarians is injections of vitamin B-12. About TheCatSite.com. What to Do If Your Pet Accidentally Consumes a Human Vitamin For many pets, sneaking behind your back and consuming one of your vitamins that you left sitting on the table is not cause for an emergency. If you take your cat to the vet because they’re generally feeling blah, they’ll often give your cat a quick Vitamin B12 shot to help them feel better. Stray, stressed or elderly cats or felines that consume bad diets can benefit from vitamin B12 shots. Home & Forums | I accidently gave my cat more Vitamin B12 than what she was supposed to get and I was wondering if that could cause a problem. Meat - particularly organ meats such as liver - is high in vitamin B12. Why do some cats have a vitamin B12 deficiency? It may sound high, but in reality, only a small percentage is absorbed. My concern is that she just won't get anything from it (digestive issues, hence giving her injections?). Can I give her a piece of a b-12 tablet? Vitamin B12 in the form of methylcobalamin may be particularly helpful. Crucially, neither we humans nor our otherwise highly self-sufficient cat colleagues can produce vitamin B12 on our own. I give my cats NOW B-50 (a B complex) in their raw food.  It is marketed for humans.Â. Cats suffering from kidney disease or kidney failure will be prescribed B12 vitamin injections. Such treatment comes in conjunction with feeding higher-quality food and veterinary oversight. There are a number of reasons why Fluffy may not be getting all the B12 she needs. I have Cyanocobalamin (B12) 100 mcg. Vitamin B-12 is given to cats and dogs suffering from kidney failure to restore some of the vitamins that are lost when the kidneys are not filtering the blood as they should. Phosphate Binders The short answer is yes. Vitamin B12 is essentially non-toxic but it should not be given to animals with known hypersensitivity to it or to cobalt. Vets have noticed that when a cat is given B12 injection, it stimulates their appetites. B12 supplements sold for humans are suitable for cats. This means that consuming a human-grade vitamin can potentially give your pet an unhealthy excess of a particular vitamin or mineral. It is worth discussing the options with your veterinarian to learn what method Fluffy will respond to best. Cat Articles | This helps us offset the costs of running this site, so thank you for your support! Which cats need B-complex supplements? Where to Inject Vitamin B12 in Cats. Copyright 2021 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. When clicking a link here and buying, we may be able to make a small commission, at no additional cost to you. Vitamins for Cats With Kidney Disease to Increase Their Appetite→. Muscle meat, for example, is a good source of B3 and B5. Dosage and Administration Inject subcutaneously or intramuscularly. A rule of thumb with any human supplement given to kitties is 1/10th the human dosage. In blood tests, red and white blood cell counts can be low or abnormal. It's important to note that the causes of B12 deficiency aren't all known. Have some nature made B-12 tablets at home, and my cat usually gets a b-12 injection however will not be bringing her in for one this week. B12 plays an important role in cats' growth and health. If the injections are stopped, cats lose their appetites again which is why vets normally recommend that cats that are off their food should be given a B12 jab every week or sometimes every two weeks. If a negative reaction occurs, call your veterinary office. Meat - particularly organ meats such as liver - is high in vitamin B12. © 2000-2020 TheCatSite.com. Cats that have diseases that cause them to urinate and drink more, such as diabetes and hyperthyroidism, also tend to be deficient in vitamin B12. My cat got Cryptococcossis and is taking Fluconazole for treatment.The fungus virus has effected his nerves system and his front legs are paralyzed the doctors said he should make a good recovery but they where unsure how much damage to his nerves going to his front legs.I have heard that vitamin B is good for nerve repair I need to know how much to give him. Cats with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) may have concurrent low vitamin B12 levels (Tams, 2014).A case recently presented with a history of chronic intermittent vomiting, inappetence and mild weight loss. A simple way to start increasing the amount of B12 your cat gets is to make sure she gets plenty of it in her diet. There are many treatments for the disease, which is progressive, but there is no cure. Is she less interested in eating? Has Fluffy been lethargic? Oral supplements and appropriate food will not work as a way to boost B12 for cats that have gastrointestinal diseases or a congenital condition. If the cat is lethargic, depressed and not eating well, vitamin B12 shots can … There are many treatments for the disease, which is progressive, but there is no cure. As you learned in part one, B12 is actively involved in a lot of bodily processes. There are oral supplements that come in capsules that can be added to Fluffy's food. Fortunately, boosting her B12 level is fairly easy. May be injected intravenously at the discretion of the veterinarian. Does anyone do this? One of the treatments given by veterinarians is injections of vitamin B-12. For cats with chronic diseases B12 for cats is something you can do at home once a week to stimulate their appetite. You can administer human B12 for your dog without worries as long as your vet has approved of the same. B vitamins can be found in animal and plant sources. TheCatSite.com is a community of cat lovers dedicated to quality cat care and cat welfare. I didn't want to traumatize her by taking her to the vet again (and they agreed), so I picked up the syringes and they talked me through the instructions. There are also gastrointestinal illnesses, such as pancreatitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that have the same effect. They have problems absorbing B12 (which is why they are deficient), so they don't benefit from taking the vitamin orally. This site uses cookies. If your cat has symptoms of B12 deficiency, your vet should examine her to look for the cause. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin, which is safe for dog use in small quantities. Oral supplements and appropriate food will not work as a way to boost B12 for cats that have gastrointestinal diseases or a congenital condition. Kidney disease, or Chronic Renal Failure, is a health problem that can afflict dogs and cats as well as people. Because the body can store up the vitamin under normal conditions, it may take some time before it reaches a critically low point. Also known as fluid therapy, subcutaneous fluids are given under the skin and absorbed into the blood stream to prevent dehydration. JavaScript is disabled. Omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can also be supplemented separately from kidney-friendly diets. TheCatSite.com participates in select affiliate advertising programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. However, now that I'm faced with actually doing it, I'm freaking out. It can also depend on the supplement, so can get confusing, but the 1/10th rule is a good one to start with. Veterinarians often prescribe B12 vitamin injections to cats with anemia. However your cat ends up receiving a boost in B12, it is highly likely that she will respond well to it. Vitamin B12 Indications For use as supplemental nutritive source of vitamin B 12 in cattle, horses, swine, sheep, dogs and cats. A good starting dose would be 500mcg (0.5mg) per day, but you can give up to twice as much. If that's the case with Fluffy, she may benefit from B12 injections. Site Help | It can be given through a subcutaneous injection or oral tablet. Cats, when given a boost of vitamin B12, regain their appetites quickly which is really important when they are sick and need to take in as many calories as they to stay strong can to fight off any infection. The reason an animal becomes deficient is that vitamin B12 is not absorbed from the food eaten by animals suffering from EP… Pet MD: Vitamin B12 Supplementation in Pets With EPI, Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease: B Vitamins, Including Vitamin B12 (Methylocobalamin), Washington State University Pet Health Topics: Giving Subcutaneous Fluids to a Cat. The injection may sting temporarily, but otherwise is very safe. Your vet can give her the shots as necessary or you may want to ask if you can administer this painless shot yourself at home. Improvements. It is marketed for humans. As evidence in humans and dogs has demonstrated that oral supplementation is likely to be beneficial, the authors sought to determine if this might also be the case in cats. The pills are small and water soluble. Typical symptoms of B12 deficiency include lethargy, vomiting and diarrhea. In addition, as our cats age, just as it is with humans, Vitamin B12 deficiencies are not abnormal. Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12 or cobalamin) is a vitamin supplement used to treat systemic deficiencies. Can I Give My Dog Human Vitamin B12? Vitamin B deficiencies are also known to cause non-regenerative anaemia. Deficiency of Vitamin B12 can lead to less energy, reduced appetite, loss of weight, poor coat condition, and if the deficiency is severe enough, neurological issues such as seizures. Some cats receive fluid therapy as a part of treating their illness, so vets will often add B12 to the fluid. The most effective method of vitamin B12 supplementation is by injection. Consider a cat-specific multi-vitamins supplement that also contains iron (for anemia). I have to give my cat vitamin B12 injections. Both dogs and cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) are at risk of developing a vitamin deficiency at some point. I give my cats NOW B-50 (a B complex) in their raw food. Cats obtain the vitamin through their diet, and most commercial cat foods provide sufficient amounts of B12 for a healthy cat. This nutrient is right at the heart of your cat's digestive, nervous, and immune systems. B12 is found in animal products such as meat, liver, fish, and eggs. Liver, on the other hand, is a great source of B2, B5, B7, B9 and B12. Vitamin C, Vitamin E and rosemary are typical natural antioxidants added to kidney-friendly pet food.