1. Causes of vitamin A deficiency in dogs:

1. Vitamin A deficiency in dogs rarely occurs, but if they are fed a single feed with incomplete nutrition for a long time, or suffer from chronic gastroenteritis for a long time, Dogs whose vitamin A absorption is affected are prone to this disease.

2. Dogs during pregnancy and lactation have an increased need for vitamin A. If the content of vitamin A in the food is not increased at this time, it will not only cause the dog to suffer from vitamin deficiency, but also affect the health of the dog. Growth, development and disease resistance of fetuses or young dogs.

3. Fat in food can promote the digestion and absorption of vitamin A by the dog’s digestive tract. Therefore, a lack of fat and protein in food can also lead to vitamin A deficiency in dogs.

2. Symptoms of vitamin A deficiency in dogs:

1. Vitamin A deficiency in adult dogs manifests as anorexia, weight loss and sparse coat. If further development occurs, keratosis of hair follicles and increased dandruff will occur. Night blindness and dry eye disease, corneal thickening and turbidity, conjunctival inflammation, shyness, tearing, and red discharge.

2. Due to changes in squamous epithelial cells, the surface of the cornea becomes dry and blood vessels appear. After secondary bacterial infection, the cornea develops ulcers and perforations.

3. Vitamin A deficiency in male dogs: testicular atrophy, few or no sperm in the semen.

4. Vitamin A deficiency in female dogs: in severe cases, they are not in estrus. In mild cases, although they are in estrus and pregnant, they are prone to miscarriage or stillbirth. Even if they give birth to weak live offspring, they are also susceptible to respiratory diseases and have a low survival rate. Retained placenta is also common after delivery.

5. Young dogs that survive postpartum often have thickened skulls and vertebrae due to skeletal deformities. The foramen magnum narrows, compressing the cerebellum and spinal cord. Clinical manifestations include ataxia, tremors and spasms, and finally paralysis. All pups in the litter are affected, but the severity is different.

3. Prevention and treatment of vitamin A deficiency in dogs:

1. Dogs suffering from vitamin A deficiency after weaning mostly die from secondary respiratory diseases. Refer to the vitamin A requirements of adult and growing young dogs, increase the supply of dogs during pregnancy and lactation, and promote the digestion and absorption of vitamin A.

2. Add appropriate amount of fat to food. Strengthen feeding and feed more green vegetables, carrots, yellow corn, milk, eggs, meat and other foods rich in vitamin A and carrots. If necessary, add an appropriate amount of cod liver oil to the food.