Enter your e-mail address. Enter the password that accompanies your e-mail. Only registered members are allow to see our exclusive products range. If you want to access our exclusive products then please Register or Login Treat and Control Vitamin B12 Deficiency Cobalife VB12 is an injectable Vitamin B12 to treat and control Vitamin B12 deficiency in sheep and cattle. Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin which acts as a coenzyme for various metabolic functions, including fat and carbohydrate metabolism and protein synthesis. It is vital for glucose production in ruminants, which is essential to meet the high energy demands of growth and lactation. Vitamin B12 deficiency results in reduced appetite and growth rates, illthrift, infertility and reduced wool and milk production. Deficiency may occur at any stage of the year but is more likely to happen during stressful periods such as calving/lambing and growing periods of stock. Subcutaneous injection of Vitamin B12 is the preferred method of preventing and correcting Vitamin B12 deficiency.
Refer to the label for all product information Active ConstituentsHydroxocobalamin 2mg/mLProduct BenefitsContains Hydroxocobalamin, a longer acting form of Vitamin B12 compared to Cyanocobalamin Treats both sheep and cattle Cost effective - Treats more lambs per pack compared to other Vitamin B12 injections in the market, ie. 1000 lambs vs 500 lambs Supports animals during times of stress for optimal growth rates and production Lambs: 0.5mL at marking or weaning Sheep: 1 - 1.5mL pre-lambing Calves: 2 - 3mL from 2 months of age Cattle: 4 - 6mL pre-calving Give dose by subcutaneous injection only. The frequency of dosing should be related to the severity of the deficiency. For instance, for sheep in extremely deficient areas, repeat dose every 2 to 3 months. In less deficient areas, repeat dose every 5 to 6 months or as found necessary. EXPORT SLAUGHTER INTERVAL (ESI): 0 days For further information, click below: Cobalife VB12 SDS A18266.02 Aug13.pdf
For full product information please register as vet here Other products to consider Difficulty with balance is a symptom of B12 deficiency. Recent onset/chronic diarrhea or diarrhea for 1-3 months Intermittent diarrhea can be a sign of B12 deficiency. Regular/frequent episodes of diarrhea (Much) reduced sense of taste Glossitis (inflamed tongue) is a possible sign of B12 deficiency. Moderate/major/very great unexplained weight loss Tender calf muscles or very tender calves If vitamin B12 deficiency becomes pronounced, the nervous system can be affected, causing progressive peripheral neuropathy (tingling of the fingers and toes), muscle weakness, staggering, tenderness in the calves, confusion. Shortness of breath when at rest Slightly impaired ability to walk Staggering can be caused by advanced B12 deficiency. Pale skin, often with a lemon tint, can be a sign of vitamin B12 deficiency. Pale skin, often with a lemon tint, can be a sign of B12 deficiency.
Megaloblastic Anemia / Pernicious Anemia The main indicator of vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anemia, which in turn is due to a deficiency of intrinsic factor. Impaired white blood cells response can be a sign of B12 deficiency. Studies show that one out of four people hospitalized for depression is deficient in pyridoxine and cobalamin. Researchers at the University of California devised a study to determine if low levels of vitamin B-12 might be associated with bone loss in older women. Results showed that women with the lowest levels of B-12 had a significantly higher risk of bone loss and fractures compared to women with the highest levels. The researchers also noted that for some women, B-12 supplements may help slow the rate of bone loss. Crohn's disease can lead to malabsorption of vitamin B12. Gluten Sensitivity / Celiac Disease Celiac disease can lead to malabsorption of vitamin B12. Achlorhydria leads to improper absorption of nutrients such as B12.
Elevated urine MMA levels The UMMA test is a functional assay. UMMA reflects cobalamin (Vitamin B12) activity at the tissue/cellular level since MMA levels are directly related to a B12-dependent metabolic pathway. The conversion of MMA to succinic acid requires vitamin B12. The metabolic pathway is: MMA → (coenzyme B12 ) → succinic acid. Vitamin B12 deficiency impedes this pathway and causes MMA levels to increase. Thus, as water builds up behind a dam, high UMMA levels indicate a vitamin B12 deficiency. A urine MMA test is recommended for properly diagnosing B12 deficiency due to the possible lack of sensitivity of serum B12 tests. Normal urine MMA levels A normal or high B12 level makes B12 deficiency less likely, but does not rule it out. Having had a small bowel resection Resection of the bowel increases the risk of vitamin B12 malabsorption. Even 7% to 10% of individuals with serum vitamin B12 levels in the 200-400pg/mL range have developed neuropsychiatric complications of vitamin B12 deficiency.
Previously there was only concern when levels were below 200pg/mL. Cirrhosis of the Liver The liver is the body's main store of vitamin B12. Large parasites like the beef tapeworm compete with us for nutrients by robbing us of micronutrients (such as vitamins) before they get to the things we don't really need. Prilosec (omeprazole) has been shown to decrease B12 absorption. H2-receptor blockers appear to impair the absorption of vitamin B12 from food. This is thought to occur because the vitamin B12 in food is attached to proteins. Stomach acid separates them and allows the B12 to be absorbed. Excessive use of antibiotics or anti-convulsants can lead to B12 deficiency. Much vitamin C supplementation Megadoses of and/or copper can cause B12 deficiency. (Discontinued) multiple vitamin use Frequent/routine/history of B12 injections Much/some vitamin B12 supplementation Medium-term vegan/long-term vegetarian/vegan diet Some 80% of those who have been vegan for 2 or more years suffer from some degree of B12 deficiency: B12 deficiency is surprisingly common amongst vegetarians.
Vitamin B12 deficiency is the most common cause of megaloblastic anemia. Both long-term low dietary consumption and poor absorption are responsible for the final outcome of a B12 deficiency, namely megaloblastic anemia and neurological symptoms. The authors of one study note that the vegan diet provides essentially no vitamin B12, and people following unsupplemented vegetarian diets may suffer from a deficit as well due to the lower levels in the diet. In addition, people consuming the vegan and vegetarian diets were in general also not getting adequate amounts of the essential amino acid methionine, due to the lower methionine content in plant proteins versus animal proteins. [Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 2000;44: pp.135-8] Serum vitamin B12 levels were 37% lower in the vegetarian group and 59% lower in the vegan group, compared with the omnivorous group. Vegetarians – 214.8 pmol/l Vegans – 140.1 pmol/l Omnivores – 344.7 pmol/l In addition, B12 levels were low enough to be considered clinically deficient in:
78% of the vegans 26% of the vegetarians 0% of the omnivores Researchers compared homocysteine (Hcy) levels in 62 vegetarians, 32 vegans, and 59 people consuming an omnivorous diet. Compared to the omnivorous group, whose average Hcy levels were about 10.2 mmol/l, levels in the other groups were found to be: More than 50% higher in the vegan group (15.8 mmol/l) About 30% higher in the vegetarian group (13.2 mmol/l) Serum folate levels were within the normal range for all three groups, although they were significantly lower in omnivores. The authors conclude that "The results show that the mild hyperhomocysteinemia in alternative nutrition is a consequence of vitamin B12 deficiency." Some vitamin B12 supplementation or not supplementing B12 About 25% of all lacto-ovo vegetarians have a functional B12 deficiency, meaning their homocysteine is too high. The figure is more like 80% for those who have been vegan for 2 or more years. B12 deficiency is very common among vegetarians.