Vitamin A Deficiency Symptoms

Vitamin A deficiency symptoms is tightly connected with vitamin a benefits in the skin and immune systems.

Dogs can use carotene in foods. So, dogs is not that depended on foods rich in vitamin a or in vitamin a vegetables, only food rich in carotene.

This is the contrast in cats. They need vitamin a in the food in order to be nutritional satisfied.

This is interesting as this perhaps is a sign of dogs more are omnivores and not carnivores. Cats are carnivores and dependant on lot of protein. Some think dogs are carnivores to, other has the opinion that they are omnivores.

Young Dogs and Puppies

Well, when it comes to vitamin A deficiency symptoms it really show us how important this vitamin is. More is needed in the young dogs still growing than in the adults.

Pups need around 1000 IU vitamin A pr 400kcal of food (around 200 IU per kg body weight), adults thrives well on the half.

Pups deficient of vitamin A can have symptoms like:

• Weakness
• Lack of growth
• Deformity of the bones
• Eye changes
• Blindness and deafness

Eye changes are seen because of retinal malfunction. But, the normal development of the eye is not normal. Conjunctivitis and corneal opacity's can be seen.

The eyes can become dry, this is called Xerophthalmia. This makes the eye much more irritated as the normal "flush of bacterias from the cornea" is severely diminished.

Xerophthalmia is only seen in vitamin a deficiency.

Dry eyes can have other causes, so don't think every dry eye is caused by lack of vitamin a. Talk to your veterinarian about this.

Blindness because of the cornea changes is obvious. But there can be changes in the optic nerve as well causing the blindness. These nerve changes can affect the nerve to the ears as well resulting in deafness.

Problems in the respiratory system as well. You see nose changes. The nose becomes more rough and dry. Nasal discharge also, because of the mucosa changes inside the nose is often seen as well. This will make the local immune system less efficient and bacterial infections is becoming a problem

Adult Dogs

Adult dogs can have symptoms as:

• Skin lesions and rashes
• Lack of appetite and corresponding weight loss
• Dull, rough skin and coat
• Thinning Hair or actual Hair Loss
• Respiratory Ailments / Infections and Decline in Respiratory Function
• Lowered Immune Response with resultant infection susceptibility
• Changes and Impairments in Visual Abilities
• Decline in Overall Motor Functions and Responses
• And as well problems with infertility.

This is because of the epithelial changes in the female or male reproductive system.

It can be a low grade inflammation in the utherus (endometritis) or epthelial changes in the small ducts in the male testicles

It is therefor worth to remember these vitamin a deficiency symptoms.

Even though vitamin a deficiency is rare nowadays.