Vitamin K Deficiency
The primary vitamin K deficiency is not common in domestic animals (pigs, dog, ruminants and horse), because the high content of vitamin K is present in the plants. This will be synthesized in gut micro flora and absorbed in the body.
Menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB) is a derivative of vitamin K3 is the available form of vitamin k3 injection.
Risk factor
- Prolonged use of oral antibiotic may affects the synthesis of vitamin by destructuion of beneficial bacteria.
- High dose of Vitamin A is also interfering with bacterial synthesis, which causes hemorrhage.
- Sweet clover poisoning.
Pathogenesis
- Vitamin K helps the formation of prothrombin which necessary for normal coagulation process.
- Prothrombin is synthesis in liver. Vitamin K is needed for activation of coagulation factors II, VII, IX and X.
- Vitamin K deficient animal – Severely affect blood clotting and hemorrhage.
Clinical signs
- Pale mucus membrane
- Subcutaneous hematoma
- Epistaxis
- Hemorrhage in hind limbs, fore limbs, axilla and mandible region
Diagnosis
- History and clinical signs
- Prolonged prothrombin time and activated prothrombin time.
- Low Vitamin K level
Treatment
- Vitamin K at 3 mg/kg b.wt IM single dose
- Vitamin K3 at 25mg/ke b.wt for 4 days
- Vitamin K1 for warfarin toxicity:
- In Horse: at 300-500 mg SC for every 4-6 hrs interval until PT return to normal
- In Dogs & Cats: at 5-10 mg IM at 12 hrs interval until PT return to normal
