by Manuel Cascioli
In human medicine, not a day goes by that the importance of Vit. D for our health is not illustrated, described, reiterated through scientific journals, talk shows, and social media. Many highlight the need to expose the skin to solar rays (UVB rays) for at least 10 minutes a day, so that the body can naturally reach 80% of its needs through this route, while the remaining 20% can be obtained through food.
But can we veterinarians give similar advice to dog and cat owners? The answer is yes, but with distinctions between animal species, in fact thanks to an important scientific study [1], animals such as sheep, cows, chickens, mice and other herbivorous and omnivorous animal species are able to synthesize Vitamin D, through solar radiation, while other animal species; such as carnivores (including cats) to which the dog has been added, CANNOT SYNTHESIS IT [2].
So in our four-legged friends, Vitamin D is essential, indispensable, (perhaps even more than in humans); this is why supplementation with specific supplements is very important for their health as has been confirmed by numerous scientific studies [3]. These publications together with others [3], reiterate how a correct amount of this fat-soluble vitamin in the body, carries out therapeutic effects, not only limited to the canonical districts - such as bones and intestine - but above all, in other very important organs/cells capable of expressing receptors for Vitamin D (the so-called VDR), receptors that make them sensitive to the beneficial action of this vitamin (brain, pancreas, kidneys, skin). This healing action also extends to various systems, such as the Immune [4] and Endocrine.
These scientific data allow, in the clinical field, to add this important nutritional supplement to the normal therapeutic protocols of various pathologies: Gastrointestinal, Oncological (Osteosarcoma [5], Mastocytoma), Cardiological (Heart Failure), Immune (autoimmune pathologies), Parasitological (Leishmaniasis), Nephrological (Chronic Renal Failure) and many others.
The therapeutic complexity of these pathologies means that only the Veterinary Doctor is the only professional figure capable of advising on the correct integration, both in the most appropriate form of pharmaceutical dispensing (preferably liposomal) and in the dosage, to avoid possible and dangerous overdoses [6].
If in Veterinary Medicine, scientific research on this prohormone (Vit. D), will continue with the same publication rates as today, in the future, Vitamin D will not be in Dogs and Cats…so unknown.
[1] Cutaneous Vitamin D synthesis in carnivorous species
[2] Dietary Vitamin Dependence of Cat and Dog due to indegyate cutaneous synthesis of Vitamin D
[3] Dietary Vitamin D dependence of cat and Dogue, due to inadequate Cutaneous synthesis of Vitamin D
[4] Vitamin D metabolism in dogs and cats and its relations to diseases not associated with bone metabolism
[5] Vit. D Receptor, Retinoid X Receptor, Ki-67, Survivin, and Ezrin Expression in Canine Osteosarcoma
[6] Oral vitamin D supplementation at five times the recommended allowance marginally affects serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in dogs
