Special Veterinary Pathology

VITAMIN K

VITAMIN K (ANTI-HAEMORRHAGIC VITAMIN)

• K₁- Green plants, fruits, liver oils
• K₂- synthesized in intestine by microflora
• K₃- Menadione (synthetic form)

Functions

• Formation of prothrombin and factor X by liver
• Plays a role in calcium metabolism

Deficiency of vitamin K

• Failure of absorption from intestine –obstructive jaundice-no bile
• Malabsorption
• Intestinal disorders- vomition, diarrhoea
• Liver disease- Cirrhosis- no bile
• Lack of bacterial synthesis- increased usage of antibiotics and cocidiostats
• Indiscriminate administration of coccidiostats
• New born pigs
• Sweet clover poisoning- decreased prothrombin- increased vitamin.K

PATHOLOGY

Haemorrhagic syndrome - poultry

• Subcutaneous haemorrhages
• Haemorrhages in abdominal cavity
• Anemia
• Adult birds-synthesis of vitamin K in intestine
• Diet with decreased vitamin K leads to eggs and chicks with decreased vitamin K
• Haemorrhages and death during wing banding in chicks