Veterinarian Service
Pet Vitamin D Testing Veterinary Service in Richmond, VA
Low stores of vitamin D are associated with a wide range of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, infection, and kidney disease.
Pet Vitamin D Testing
Vitamin D Sufficiency Important for Cellular Health:
Vitamin D is not a simple vitamin but the precursor to the active hormone 1,25VitD. Well understood for its role in calcium homeostasis, vitamin D is recognized for its role in gene regulation and the maintenance of cellular health. VitD diagram Many tissues have vitamin D receptors and will locally convert 25VitD to 1,25VitD. Low stores of vitamin D are associated with a wide range of diseases, such as cancer, heart disease, infection, and kidney disease.
Unlike humans, dogs and cats do not produce vitamin D from sunlight; their sole source of vitamin D comes from their diet. At the Integrative Veterinary Center of Richmond, recent studies have shown that vitamin D varies significantly by commercial pet food manufacturers. Further, intestinal absorption varies considerably from dog to dog and by intact status. Expanding models of vitamin D have generated new terminology of “Deficiency,” “Insufficiency,” and “Sufficiency” to define the protective effect that increasing stores of vitamin D have against disease. When found inadequate, dietary supplementation is warranted.
Veterinary Services
Below are many of the veterinary services we offer at the Integrative Veterinary Center of Richmond. If you have any questions regarding our services, please feel free to call us.