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| ACVN NutritioN Notes 80 today's Veterinary Practice May/June 2014 tvpjournal.com table 1. Common vitamins & minerals administered by Owners NUTRIENT SUMMARY Minerals Calcium • Calcium requirements for adult maintenance are low; additional supplementation does not provide much benefit. • Avoid low, or high, calcium intake in growing animals. • Carefully and deliberately supplement calcium only (1) in rare instances or (2) for animals on low-calcium, home-prepared diets. Selenium • it is often administered to pets with cancer, but insufficient data exists supporting its use for cancer treatment or prevention in humans and animals. 15 Zinc • owners may supplement due to perceived benefits for immune function or dermatologic disease. • Benefits are unlikely unless the animal (1) is fed a high-fiber diet low in zinc or (2) has a genetic pre- disposition for deficiency (northern breeds). Vitamins B-Complex Vitamins • these vitamins are minimally toxic, and significant excesses are present in most commercial foods. • Certain hereditary and pathological conditions result in vitamin B12 deficiency, but supplementation of B vitamins in normal animals is not likely beneficial. Vitamin C • Vitamin C is synthesized from glucose in dogs and cats. • High amounts of vitamin C can induce lipid peroxidation, which may be the basis for anecdotal reports of high-dose, iV vitamin C for cancer treatment. • Vitamins C and e (50 mg/kg, each) decreased cisplatin-induced vomiting episodes in dogs. 16 • supplementation has been shown to increase serum or plasma levels; in one study, it increased carti- lage weight in experimental canine arthritis. 14 • supplemented greyhounds ran slower when given vitamin C, and diarrhea has been reported. 14 • Most canine studies administered 1 g of supplemental vitamin C. Vitamin D • Dogs and cats produce little vitamin D in the skin and, therefore, require dietary intake or supplemen- tation (unlike humans). 14 • Commercial diets include vitamin D or contain organ meats rich in fat-soluble vitamins. • Deficiencies of vitamin D in home-cooked and raw diets have been reported. 17 • A relationship between low vitamin D and neoplasia has been reported in dogs with mast cell tumors compared to controls, 18 but a causal link has not yet been identified. • supplementation in animals consuming commercial pet foods is not recommended, and may cause toxicity (bone growth abnormalities, mineralization, hypercalcemia). Vitamin E • supplementation of polyunsaturated fatty acids generally increases vitamin e requirements. 14 • Vitamin e has been recommended for canine osteoarthritis (oA) (400 iu/day), 19 hepatic disease, 20 atopic dermatitis, and other inflammatory conditions. • Data is strongest for arthritis, but doses used have been variable (generally 10–20 iu/kg). • High doses may impair blood clotting. 14 table 2. relevant Polyunsaturated Fatty acids FATTY ACID SUMMARY Alpha Linolenic (n-3) May be essential in dogs and cats but data is lacking Docosahexaenoic (n-3) May exert biologic effects, specifically in the retina and neural tissues Eicosapentaenoic (n-3) & Arachidonic (n-6) • Arachidonic acid products generally promote inflammation and platelet aggregation. • EPA produces less potent prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Proposed effects include: 21 • improved renal parameters in experimentally induced kidney disease • reduction of inflammation in oA; mild to modest decreases in lameness and NsAiD requirements were noticed in clinical trials of therapeutic diets with ePA and DHA 22 • Decreased very-low-density lipoprotein in hyperlipidemia, pruritus and/or dermatitis, and cardiac cachexia and arrhythmias in heart disease • Chemosensitization and improved oncologic survival • improved memory and learning in puppies. 23 Linoleic (n-6) essential fatty acid in dogs and cats 2014-0506_NutritionNotes_Nutraceuticals_RECONFIGURED_FOR ADS.indd 80 5/24/2014 8:17:11 PM