The Role of Thiamine and Effects of Deficiency in Dogs and Cats

Abstract

Recent pet food recalls for insufficient dietary thiamine have highlighted the importance of adequate thiamine intake in dogs and cats, as thiamine is an essential dietary nutrient with a critical role in energy metabolism. Prolonged thiamine deficiency leads to clinical signs that can span several organ systems, and deficiency can be fatal if not reversed. In this review, the current knowledge of thiamine metabolism will be summarized. Dietary recommendations for dogs and cats will be discussed, and the risk factors and clinical signs associated with thiamine deficiency will be examined.

Evaluation of blood thiamine concentration in hospitalized dogs with and without critical illness

“…One previous study in 6 healthy dogs found mean whole blood TDP concentration of 95 ng/ml (range = 84-104), 7 while another study in 25 healthy dogs found median whole blood TDP concentration of 72 ng/ml (range = 46-112) 35 ; however, both of these studies utilized microbial methods to measure TDP, which are no longer commonly used for thiamine measurement, were not validated in veterinary patients, and are not recommended as the most reliable method to assess thiamine status. 4 A study evaluating thiamine concentrations in 64 healthy dogs being fed commercial diets showed mean whole blood TDP measured by HPLC was 89.7 ± 20.7 ng/ml. 36 Another study evaluating blood thiamine concentrations measured by HPLC found that 47 healthy adult dogs had mean whole blood TDP concentrations of 89.5 ± 21 ng/ml.…”

“…2 Routine bloodwork and urinalysis are typically normal in thiamine deficiency; therefore, definitive determination of blood thiamine concentration requires direct measurement of TDP concentrations in RBCs using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). [2][3][4] Conditions associated with blood thiamine deficiency in people include critical illness and sepsis, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus. [11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19] It has been estimated that 30% of children and 10%-20% of adult human ICU patients are thiamine deficient at the time of ICU admission, with prevalence increasing within 72 hours after admission.…”

Relationship between a plant‐based ‘vegan’ pet food and clinical manifestation of multiple nutrient deficiencies in two cats

“…Thiamine was also measured in the plasma of the MC and DSH via the direct method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Kritikos et al, 2017). Little is known about this vitamin status in cats, and an accurate reference range has not yet been validated (Kritikos et al, 2017).…”

“…Thiamine was also measured in the plasma of the MC and DSH via the direct method using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) (Kritikos et al, 2017). Little is known about this vitamin status in cats, and an accurate reference range has not yet been validated (Kritikos et al, 2017). Nonetheless, results for plasma thiamine in the study's felines were always in the laboratory reference range, with follow-up concentrations slightly lower in comparison with first analysis.…”

Thiamine deficiency in a dog associated with exclusive consumption of boiled sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas): Serial changes in clinical findings, magnetic resonance imaging findings and blood lactate and thiamine concentrations

“…Thiamine deficiency can be treated with thiamine supplementation and supportive management of symptoms, but the treatment response and prognosis may vary according to the associated aetiology, severity and duration of thiamine deficiency (Kritikos, Parr, & Verbrugghe, 2017). Previous case reports of dogs with thiamine deficiency documented that the neurological signs typically began to improve within a week after thiamine supplementation (if they had a response to thiamine supplementation) and required variable amounts of time for a full recovery depending on the severity of the case, ranging from 2 months to 2 years (Garosi et al, 2003;Houston & Hulland, 1988;Singh et al, 2005).…”