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Vitamins Animals need different types of vitamins. Each type will have different functions in the body. Vitamin B complex and C These vitamins are water soluble. They are not stored in the body and therefore the animal needs a daily intake. Because of this, you do not get a problem if they are supplied in excess as the surplus is removed by the kidneys and excreted in the urine. It is rare to get a deficiency of these vitamins in an animal on a complete and balanced diet. However, if there is prolonged water loss—for example, polyuria or diarrhoea—they may may need supplementation. This table shows you some important vitamins, what they’re important for, what happens if it is not included in the diet. The table also outlines examples of foods that are sources of particular vitamins. Vitamin Function Deficiency Food sources Thiamine B1 carbohydrate and protein metabolism, release of energy from carbohydrate anorexia, vomiting, ventroflexion of the head, paralysis, heart failure and death meat, cereal, yeast Riboflavin B2 growth and skin condition, utilisation of energy weight loss, weakness, organ meats, eggs, collapse, coma yeast, cereal Niacin health of mouth tissues mouth and tongue ulcers organ meats, eggs, yeast, cereal Vitamin B12 division of red blood cells in the bone marrow anaemia, poor growth muscle meat, milk, liver Folic acid anaemia, poor growth organ meats, yeast division of red blood cells in the bone marrow 1 © NSW DET 2007 Fat soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) These vitamins are stored in the fatty tissues and in the liver. Due to this storage animals do not need a daily supply. Important: If fed in excess, the level can be toxic for the animal. Vitamin Source Function Deficiency Excess A liver, kidney, milk sight, skin, bone and teeth growth, kidney function poor growth, skin in cats—fusion of the and eye problems, vertebrae (‘Kangaroo bone problems Cat’) D formed in sunlight, fish liver oil, egg yolk, milk calcium balance and bone growth rickets, poor growth, osteomalacia (soft malformation of bones) bones and teeth calcification of soft tissues and kidneys resulting in kidney failure E egg yolk, cereal, reproduction, stops impaired milk, vegetables, vitamin A being reproduction, vegetable oil destroyed inflammation of muscle and of fat in cats none K synthesised by intestinal bacteria none blood clotting haemorrhage 2 © NSW DET 2007 3 © NSW DET 2007