Thiamine deficiency (Vitamin B1 deficiency)

Also known as: Thiamine deficiency, Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency

Trend Term

Thiamine deficiency (low Vitamin B1) Thiamine deficiency (low thiamine) Low thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Confidence

high

Summary

Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is an essential water-soluble dietary nutrient that dogs and cats cannot synthesize in sufficient quantities on their own; deficiency can arise from thiamine-deficient commercial or home-prepared diets, raw or undercooked fish (which contain thiaminase enzymes that destroy the vitamin), certain preservatives, malabsorptive intestinal disease, or diuretic use. Because thiamine is critical for carbohydrate metabolism and nervous system function, deficiency leads to progressive neurological damage and can be fatal if not corrected; cats are especially vulnerable, requiring roughly three times the thiamine that dogs do. Clinical signs begin with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms (anorexia, vomiting, weight loss) and progress to serious neurological signs including ataxia, seizures, cervical ventroflexion (cats), anisocoria, dilated pupils, and decreased pupillary light reflexes. Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency is a potentially fatal nutritional condition in dogs and cats that arises from inadequate dietary intake, poor absorption, or excessive excretion of this essential water-soluble vitamin — commonly linked to raw-fish-based diets (which contain thiaminase), improperly processed commercial foods, or unsupplemented home-cooked diets. Because thiamine is critical for carbohydrate metabolism and nervous system function, prolonged deficiency causes multi-system damage, with signs progressing from non-specific gastrointestinal symptoms (anorexia, vomiting, weight loss) to serious neurological abnormalities including ataxia, tremors, seizures, dilated or unequal pupils, and cervical ventroflexion (especially in cats). If not identified and corrected promptly, the condition can be fatal or result in permanent neurological deficits. Thiamine (Vitamin B1) is an essential water-soluble vitamin that dogs and cats cannot synthesize in sufficient quantities and must obtain through diet; deficiency arises from inadequately formulated commercial foods, raw or undercooked fish diets (which contain thiaminase), sulfur dioxide-preserved meats, or high-heat food processing that destroys the vitamin. Because thiamine is critical for carbohydrate metabolism and nervous system function, deficiency causes progressive neurological damage; cats are especially vulnerable, requiring roughly three times the thiamine that dogs do. Clinical signs include anorexia, vomiting, cervical ventroflexion (cats), ataxia, head tremor, seizures, coma, and death if left untreated.

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