Vitamin K for Dogs, the Antidote for Poisoning

Vitamin K is one of the essential micronutrients for a dog's health. The role it plays in the body makes its intake absolutely essential. Its deficiency has effects as serious as hemorrhaging.

This is because it participates in the clotting process. That's why vitamin K is also used as treatment in conditions where this function is compromised. In these cases, it's the vet who determines the dose and administration schedule.

The Action of Vitamin K

Vitamins are considered micronutrients. They get this name because they need to be consumed in small amounts. In addition, many of them are essential because they need to be obtained through diet, since they can't be produced by the body itself. In the case of vitamin K, bacteria located in the intestinal tract can synthesize it.

Vitamins are classified into two groups depending on whether they're water-soluble or fat-soluble. The first are water-soluble vitamins. The second are fat-soluble. Vitamin K belongs to this second group. Its most notable function is participating in blood clotting.

Without a sufficient amount of vitamin K in the body, the necessary clotting factors won't be synthesized. This means spontaneous, uncontrolled bleeding will occur. In other words, if the dog gets a wound, it won't close, or will do so very slowly.

Vitamin K as Medication

When a dog is poisoned by certain substances, such as rodenticides, its clotting ability becomes compromised. This is because these poisons are anticoagulants and work by directly attacking vitamin K synthesis in the body. In other words, they block this process.

Vitamin K isn't just the basis for normal clotting to occur — when there's not enough of it, spontaneous hemorrhages are triggered. The problem, in addition, is that this type of toxin doesn't usually produce immediate clinical signs.

The body will keep depleting its reserves of both clotting factors and vitamin K. Because of this, the dog may seem completely healthy to us, but a few days after the poisoning, blood loss will begin. We can notice the following signs:

• Weakness.
• Pale mucous membranes and skin.
• Nasal, oral, and/or rectal bleeding.
• Vomiting blood. Blood may also appear in urine, called hematuria, or in stool. In this case, it's called melena.
• Bruising, which is blood buildup under the skin.
• Sudden death. Dogs with internal bleeding affecting the chest or abdomen can die suddenly.

Treatment for Hemorrhaging

If we suspect or have seen our dog ingest an anticoagulant, or even a rodent that died from this type of poison, we need to see the vet immediately. Even if the dog seems completely healthy, we know the effect of anticoagulants won't show up until a few days after ingestion.

It's recommended to bring a sample or the label of the product ingested so the professional can quickly identify which poison it is. Treatment with injectable vitamin K will begin, and blood transfusions may be needed if the dog is already bleeding.

The dosing schedule will depend on how much blood is being lost. Vitamin K continues to be given subcutaneously or orally until the dog manages to clot on its own again. Treatment can extend between 1-4 weeks. It should never be stopped early, since the dog would suffer dangerous bleeding again.

Uses of Vitamin K for Dogs

Besides poisoning caused by anticoagulants, vitamin K can be given to dogs considered at risk of bleeding. For example, dogs with liver disturbances are more likely to bleed and form bruises. That's why, as a preventive measure, the vet may prescribe them vitamin K.

The same happens with dogs on treatments that include anticonvulsants or NSAIDs, since these are medications that can reduce the amount of vitamin K available, a deficiency that needs to be compensated for to avoid problems.

How to Include Vitamin K in a Dog's Diet

As mentioned, vitamin K is usually given to dogs in emergency situations. That's why the vet will give it via injection, and at home we'll continue treatment with tablets or syrups.

It's important that, if our dog has been poisoned or is at risk of bleeding, we strictly follow the vet's instructions for dose, timing, and frequency of administration. In addition, there are foods especially rich in vitamin K we can add to its diet.

Examples include broccoli, kale, spinach, chard, liver, beef, eggs, vegetable oils, or fish. Remember none of these foods can replace the medication your vet has prescribed.

Bibliography

Carlson and Giffin. 2002. Manual práctico de veterinaria canina. Madrid. Editorial el Drac.