Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin that promotes healthy blood clotting and bone density in dogs, and can be naturally produced, injected or supplemented in food and capsule form. There are three types of vitamin K, known as K1, K2 and K3.
Significance
Injections and oral supplements of vitamin K1 are administered by a veterinarian to dogs with vitamin K depletion because of poison consumption. Green, leafy plants, vegetables and vegetable oils are sources of K1 that can be included in a healthy dog diet.
Function
Vitamin K2 is produced by the intestinal bacteria of a dog, promoting natural and bone strength. Dogs with liver or intestinal diseases have difficulty absorbing vitamin K and might require daily supplements.
Benefits
Vitamin K3 is a synthetically manufactured supplement containing K1 and K2, and is a common ingredient in pet foods. K3 can be given orally to K-deficient dogs in the pill or capsule form.
Warning
Mouse and rat poisons such as Warfarin contain the toxic ingredient coumarin, which depletes vitamin K, thinning blood and causing hemorrhaging in dogs and other animals that mistakenly ingest the poison, leading to death if left untreated.
Prevention/Solution
Vitamin K deficiencies in dogs can cause bleeding because of anticoagulation from ingested substances or conditions, and can affect bone proteins causing fractures and decreased bone density. Dogs with vitamin K depletions are typically given K3 supplements and routine K1 shots to restore health and livelihood.
Tags: blood clotting, blood clotting bone, bone density, capsule form, clotting bone
