Using B12 Supplementation to Improve Quality of Life in Dogs

Some dogs entering shelters are emaciated as a result of chronic malnutrition. Because dogs cannot produce vitamin B12, or cobalamin, they must obtain it from the diet. For animals who have undergone long-term inadequate nutrition, this presents a challenge. A deficiency of B12 can lead to anemia and neurological abnormalities, but supplementation is a safe and cost-effective method of improving quality of life even when vitamin B12 levels are unknown. 

Study Design

The study focused on 27 dogs from the ASPCA’s Animal Recovery Center (ARC) and Canine Annex for Rehabilitation and Enrichment (CARE) that were emaciated because of chronic malnutrition. Some of these dogs also showed clinical signs suggestive of enteropathy, such as diarrhea and a failure to gain weight.

After first-line treatments and diagnostics, including diet change, addition of probiotics, and fecal analysis, were performed, a GI panel determined serum cobalamin, folate, and trypsin-like immunoreactivity. 

Of the 27 dogs:

• 22% had an elevated MMA value, indicative of vitamin B12 depletion at the tissue level.
• 59% had a decreased vitamin B12 level.
• 58% of the dogs received B12 supplementation either with injectable or oral treatment based on the Texas A&M protocols.
• 37% were left untreated due to lab times or the animal’s short length of stay. 

Study Results

Here are some of the findings:

• 18% of the dogs that were treated were re-checked for vitamin B12 levels and found to have values in the upper end of the normal range or at supranormal levels.

Study Takeaways

Findings suggest that the recovery and overall quality of life of dogs who have a BCS < 3/9 may be improved through vitamin B12 supplementation. 

Oral cobalamin supplementation in dogs is as effective as injectable cobalamin at achieving normal serum cobalamin concentrations. 

Given the safety, relative low cost, and significant affect cobalamin deficiency can have on quality of life, we recommend B12 supplementation for all emaciated patients, regardless of whether access to serum cobalamin testing is available.