| Thiamine deficiency in dogs can cause several | | | | legs will also become very stiff. |
| problems with your pet's vessels as well as nerve | | | | The next symptom that you can watch for is Ataxia, |
| damage. It can also cause your dog to become | | | | which is a medical term that means without order. |
| stressed in situations that otherwise would not | | | | This is a very serious situation for your dog as they |
| bother them. Thiamine is considered an anti-stress | | | | will start to show several different disturbances in |
| vitamin because it helps to strengthen your dog's | | | | their ability to control their body. They will start to |
| immune system and improves their ability to handle | | | | walk in a very wobbly manner because they are |
| stressful situations. | | | | losing their motor coordination. However, it can get |
| If a deficiency of this vitamin becomes severe, it will | | | | much more serious. |
| lead to a loss of nerve controls, a loss of reflexes, | | | | Ataxia can also affect the nerves in the face and |
| and eventually cause the death of your dog. | | | | effect their eye movements. If you notice any type |
| Thiamine, Vitamin B1, is a member of the B class of | | | | of abnormal eye movements, it is time to get them |
| water soluble vitamins and your dog's body does not | | | | to your veterinarian as soon as possible. If severe |
| store this vitamin, and as a result, your pet will need | | | | enough, this condition can also affect your dog's |
| to get an adequate intake in their diet or by some | | | | brain. |
| type of a supplement. Because it is a water soluble | | | | If this is starting to happen you will see even more |
| vitamin it is virtually impossible to be toxic to your | | | | strange developments with your dog's eyes. The |
| dog, even in very large doses. Excess of any of the | | | | muscles surrounding their eyes will become paralyzed |
| water soluble vitamins is excreted in their urine. | | | | and as a result they will have very limited eye |
| Causes of Thiamine Deficiency: | | | | movement and the pupils will become fixed as well as |
| Thiamine deficiency in your dog is most commonly | | | | dilated. At this stage, thiamine deficiency is now |
| caused by eating too much raw fish or raw meats in | | | | threatening the life of your dog. |
| the diet. Raw fish is extremely dangerous, especially | | | | There are also additional symptoms that can affect |
| Herring, Smelt, or Catfish. Fish contains an ingredient | | | | your dog with a deficiency of this vitamin and they |
| known as thiaminase which is an enzyme that | | | | may be as severe in some cases. Although Beriberi is |
| destroys thiamine. | | | | thought to be solely a deficiency in humans, several |
| Originally thought to be just a concern for cats, | | | | of the same symptoms can affect your dog. This |
| feeding your dog raw fish is as much, if not a bigger | | | | deficiency affects your dog's nervous system, and as |
| concern in dogs, simply because they eat more than | | | | a result it can cause tingling in their limbs the same as |
| cats. Raw meats are also dangerous to your dog. Not | | | | Beriberi affects humans |
| only is in deficient in thiamine, it is also very low in | | | | If you notice your dog starting to lick all of their feet |
| calcium. Raw meat also carries the treat of bacteria | | | | almost in a chronic manner, it may be because they |
| and parasites, especially those that can easily cause | | | | are having burning or tingling sensations; but unlike |
| Salmonella poisoning in your dog. | | | | humans, they have no way of communicating it other |
| Thiamine deficiency can also be caused by feeding | | | | than to licking them. |
| your dog an unbalanced diet, or food that has been | | | | Treatment: |
| over processed. However, perhaps the largest single | | | | If your dog has developed a serious Thiamine |
| cause of this deficiency in your dog is by Sulfites. | | | | deficiency, your veterinarian will immediately begin |
| Sulfites are naturally occurring compounds that are | | | | Thiamine injections for several days to several |
| helpful in preventing microbial growths and are used | | | | weeks, depending on the severity. |
| extensively on fruits to preserve their original color. | | | | If you do feed your dog raw fish or raw meat on |
| However, they are also used as preservatives in | | | | any type of a regular basis, you will need to |
| several commercial dog foods and they interfere with | | | | immediately stop. You will also need to check very |
| the absorption of thiamine in your dog's body. If you | | | | closely the type of food you are buying if you use |
| use commercial dog food, it is extremely important | | | | commercial food and make sure that there are no |
| to look for brands that do not use this chemical as a | | | | Sulfites used as preservatives. |
| preservative. | | | | However, the best form of treatment for Thiamine |
| Symptoms: | | | | deficiency in dogs is to make sure that they are not |
| There are several symptoms that you can watch for | | | | developing a deficiency to start with. A multi liquid |
| in your dog that they may be developing a thiamine | | | | vitamin or a liquid tablet daily can very easily supply |
| deficiency. The first symptom will be a condition | | | | your dog with an adequate amount of Thiamine. |
| referred to as Ventroflexion. This is a condition | | | | To help stimulate your dogs immune system and to |
| where your dog's neck starts to bend in a downward | | | | make it even stronger, you can also sprinkle in a |
| position and the chin will start to lower and rest near | | | | tablespoon of brewers yeast into your dogs food |
| the middle of their body instead of squared off. | | | | once a day. One tablespoon contains 1.25 mg of B1, |
| Your dog will also start to walk with their weight | | | | Thiamine, and it can be bought at any pet store or |
| placed on their back legs and they will quickly develop | | | | health food store, and it is a very inexpensive way |
| a gait. As the deficiency increases, their back legs will | | | | to completely eliminate your dog ever getting this |
| almost look like they are constantly in a crouched | | | | deficiency. |
| position with a much wider stance, and their back | | | | |