The Natural Occurrence of Riboflavin Deficiency in the Eyes of Dogs

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Abstract
In four dogs, the diarrhea, increased salivation and mucous membrane lesions characteristic of black-tongue were relieved within 24 hours following the administration of 150 mgs nicotinic amide, whereas the lacrimation, photophobia and extreme injection of the eye vessels did not diminish. These severe eye lesions regressed greatly 24 hours after the injection of 50 mgs of riboflavin, and in 72 hours had disappeared. The simultaneous occurrence of nicotinic acid and riboflavin deficiency in four dogs is evidence that such deficiencies occur as mixed diseases rather than as single entities. These findings are further evidence of the universality of nutritional deficiencies, since they suggest that deficiency diseases among the pets of families with deficiency diseases are not uncommon. In at least one instance the finding of nutritional deficiencies in a dog eating scraps from the family table led to a better understanding of the ill health of the family, none of whom had diagnostic lesions of deficiency disease at the time, although they all complained of weakness, nervousness, irritability and loss of appetite—the vague and ill-defined symptoms characteristic of deficiency diseases in the early stages.

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