Vitamin B 12 Question

by Sarah
(UK)

My one year old Tibetan Terrier has recently been diagnosed as having a low vitamin B12 count (200)and being unable to absorb it. He has just finished his course of 6 x weekly injections & is now moving on to 3 x fortnightly injections. He is doing really well on this treatment & I have got my spirited puppy back, so am thrilled!!However, I do have a couple of questions: 1) In your experience, does this course of treatment 'kick-start' his system so that he should no longer suffer the disease?
2)Is it hereditary?
3)I am still unsure as to what this condition is & the biology behind it. B12, I have been told, is produced in a dog's bowel, so how & where does it get re-absorbed? How do we know that my dog is producing it in sufficient quantities? Any information that you could give me to understand the problem in greater detail would be greatly appreciated!!

Many thanks



Hi Sarah

Vitamin B12 is more or less regarded as a marker of intestinal "irritation"

Studies have shown that it is very unlikely it is caused by a lack in the food.

It is not 100 percent ure, but if Vit. B 12 is low you have to suspect a problem of the intestinal absorption.

The absorption can also be affected by a lack of a "intrinsic factor" which is important in the
absorption process.

This factor can sometimes be affected by a concurrent pancreatic disease.

So the vitamin might be present in the intestines, but if the absorption of it is too low, it does not any good.

Then you have to bypass the intestines, that's why we give injections.

Intestinal "irritations" can be diagnosed by aid of an endoscope. Biopsies are taken from the stomach and the intestines.
Here if certain cells are present (eosinophils) that's proof of a inflammatory process of going on.

This can be treated with cortisone and diet.

I am not promising my clients that the lack of absorption, can get resolved.

If any cause behind the lack of vitamin B12 absorption, this might help in answering this question.

The only way might be just try to stop the injections and monitor the blood levels.

This can be done safe and with no risks.

All the best

DVM Per Schonbeck