Cobalamin Deficiency

Vitamin B 12 Shots and Vitamin B 12 Dosage

If Cobalamin Deficiency is a problem, diarrhea might persist despite treatment. B 12 vitamin injections is a solution Why? I can get you the best nutrition advice about benefits of B 12 vitamin being a veterinarian.

This is diseases where cobalamin (Vit B-12) nutrition is important:

• Exocrine Pancreatic insufficiency (EPI)
• Severe intestinal diseases
• Intestinal Bacteria imbalances

What is Vitamin B 12

One of the vitamins from the large group of B vitamins. All these compounds are involved in cell metabolism one way or the other. The benefits of B 12 vitamin is:

• Combating Age changes
• Production of read blood cells
• Protein building

Every cell in the body is using this nutrient. No wonder if not getting enough that it will have some effects and supplementing really can be beneficial.

Cobalamin and EPI

Food cobalamin enters the stomach and digested. It binds to a non special protein called the R Protein and this complex goes to the duodenum.

Now Pancreas comes in. From this gland enzymes (called protease's) splits cobalamin-R protein complex.

Instead cobalamin binds to IF protein (Intrinsic Factor protein). This complex then passes on in the intestinal lumen, absorbs in the micro villi pits in the ileum part of the small intestine to the portal blood.

If Pancreas is unable to add protease's and the IF protein, then the whole absorption of cobalamin is inhibited.

Pancreas adds Protease's and IF protein to the intestinal soup

My advice would be to take a blood sample in dogs having exocrine pancreatis insufficiency or any other chronic intestinal disease, to see if vitamin levels is adequate.

Symptoms of Deficiency

In different ways. Important though, perhaps no obvious symptoms is seen. But, after treatment you probably feel and see some changes in your dog.

Positive changes by the way!

Possible symptoms could be less effect of added enzymes than expected, and that the diarrhea is more or less continuing despite treatment.

One of my patience showed no tendency to any stomach problems before treatment. But got much much better after cobalamin balance where corrected. Less smell and a better colour.

.....and a happier dog!

Vitamin B 12 dosage

You correct cobalamin deficiency as cyanocobalamin injections. It is really easy and no pain at all as in most multi B vitamin preparations.

Be aware that it is no idea to add B-12 in the food. Your dog will not be able to absorb it. Normal pancreas enzyme added on the food will not make the absorption mechanism work.

You have to bypass the intestines. That's way vitamin B 12 shots are the only way to do it.

In general it is recommended to give 400 micro gram/ 10 kg dog (20 lb) and do that once a week for six weeks, then every other week for another six weeks and the once a moth there after.

Blood sample to check the blood levels is done one moth after the last vitamin B shot.

The risk of vitamin b 12 side effects is very small. It is a water soluble compound, and any excess is going out in the urine. No harm to the body at all. I haven't seen any side effects at all. Very easy for you being the owner to administer, even if it injections. So, not really any downsides at all.

Dog Pancreatitis Relevant Pages

Dog diabetes
Causes of pancreatitis
Necrotizing pancratitis
Pancreatitis symptoms
Chronic pancreatitis treatment
Pancreatitis diet


From Cobalamin deficiency to Pancreatitis in Dogs
From Cobalamin Deficiency to Dog Nutrition Advice Home Page