Symptoms and Signs of Vitamin Deficiency and Toxicity

Signs and Symptoms of

Nutrient Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency
Toxicity

Anorexia, headache, blurred

Night blindness, xerosis, Bitot's spot,
Vitamin A vision, dry skin, pruritus,
keratomalacia, perifollicular hyperkeratosis,
(Retinol) painful extremities,
anorexia, bone changes
hepatomegaly, splenomegaly

Hypercalcemia and tetany,

Rickets/osteomalacia, bone pain, muscle anorexia, nausea, vomiting,
Vitamin D weakness, fatigue, frequent infections, constipation, polydipsia,
geriatric cognitive defects, pediatric asthma polyuria, renal stones,
hypertension

Loss of reflexes, gait disturbance (posterior

Fatigue, headache, delayed
tract-spinocerebellar symptoms), paresis of
Vitamin E wound healing, increased
gaze, eczema, psoriasis, poor wound
bleeding, muscle weakness
healing, broken capillaries

Hemolytic anemia, liver

Vitamin K Bruising, bleeding gums, poor wound clotting
damage

Arrhythmias, anaphylactic
Vitamin B1 Beriberi, edema, peripheral neuropathies/
shock with large intravenous
(Thiamine) hot feet, lactic acidosis with carbohydrate
doses

Reddened, greasy scaly, pruritic skin in the

oculo-orogenital areas; dyssebacia (shark
Vitamin B2
skin), stomatitis, angular cheilosis, magenta No cases reported
(Riboflavin)
tongue, photosensitivity, corneal
vascularization
 Symptoms and Signs of Vitamin Deficiency and Toxicity

Signs and Symptoms of

Nutrient Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency
Toxicity

Release of histamine: severe

Pellagra: photosensitive dermatitis; diarrhea; flushing, pruritus,
Vitamin B3
mucosal inflammation; dementia; beefy, red gastrointestinal disturbances,
Niacin
tongue elevated serum uric acid and
glucose, hepatic toxicity

Vitamin B5
Burning feet syndrome, fatigue, enteritis,
(Pantothenic Diarrhea, water retention
alopecia, dermatitis
Acid)

Seborrheic dermatitis, glossitis, cheilosis,

Peripheral sensory neuropathy,
Vitamin B6 angular stomatitis, peripheral neuropathy,
ataxia, perioral numbness
irritability, convulsions

Vitamin B7
Scaly dermatitis, alopecia None reported
Biotin

Megaloblastic anemia, glossitis, hair loss,

B9 Folate cognitive defects, pallor, persistent fatigue,
Masks vitamin B12 deficiency
Folic Acid tender tongue, absence of neurological
symptoms

Megaloblastic anemia, glossitis & oral

mucosal lesions, tachycardia, anorexia,
Vitamin B12
sensory neuropathy/paresthesias, muscle No clear toxicity reported
(Cobalamin)
weakness, memory loss, depression,
constipation, fatigue
 Symptoms and Signs of Vitamin Deficiency and Toxicity

Signs and Symptoms of

Nutrient Signs and Symptoms of Deficiency
Toxicity

Scurvy, bleeding gums, anemia, fatigue,

aching bones, joints, and muscles, Nausea, abdominal cramps,
Vitamin C
perifollicular hemorrhages, poor wound diarrhea
healing

Why is Vitamin Supplementation required?

Vitamin A, D, and E, are fat soluble vitamins that are required in a properly
balanced feeding program;

Vitamin A is important for bone development, sight, and soft tissue

maintenance. Deficiencies can cause reduced fertility (longer to first cycle
and lower first service conception rates). Fetal bone development and bone
density in mature animals is reduced. Animals on feed can have a reduced
feed efficiency and increased occurrence of disease and illness.

Vitamin D is provided by sunshine over the summer, and can be limited in

the winter with shorter daylight hours. It is needed to prevent rickets, and to
reduce the incidence of having weak, deformed or dead calves during the
calving season.

Vitamin E is important to improve the efficiency of Vitamin A and selenium.

It is important for immune and reproductive functions both in cows, heifers
and bulls.

Do stored forages lose their vitamins?

Exposure of cut hay to the air for 60-90 days results in destruction of the fat
soluble vitamins. This will occur in baled hay, silage, round bale silage, or
feed that is going to be used for winter swath grazing. Supplementation is
required at this time.

Are Fat Soluble Vitamins Stored by the animal?

Vitamins A, D, and E, can be stored in the liver and used by the animal for
2-3 months after coming off green pasture.

How can Vitamins be supplemented?

Vitamin A and D can be given by injection, and will last about 2-3 months.
Injections should be done twice during the winter months. Typically vitamin
A and D are together in one solution with only enough vitamin E present to
prevent deterioration of the two vitamins.
Forced feeding of vitamins in a grain mix or in a silage based ration is the
preferred method of providing vitamins to livestock. Each animal will obtain
some vitamin everyday.

Free choice supplementation of vitamins through a free choice mineral

supplement, protein lick or block, or in a salt/mineral/vitamin mix is not
consistent. Variability of intake both on a daily basis and a grams/head/day
can create deficiencies and excesses. Intake must be monitored to ensure
proper supplementation levels.

What levels of Vitamin supplementation are required?

Age and size of the animal, stage of production (pregnant vs lactating) and
health status of the animal all influence vitamin requirements. High stress
situations generally increase vitamin requirements, ie. weaning, calving, or
weather change.

Refer to published values or talk to your feed salesman or nutritionist to

develop a solid vitamin supplementation program.