Changes

2. Cats: Cats and kittens fed niacin deficient diets develop anorexia, fever, erythema of oral mucosa and tongue with eventual ulceration, weight loss, and death within the 2-3 weeks.8,9

2. Cats: Cats and kittens fed niacin deficient diets develop anorexia, fever, erythema of oral mucosa and tongue with eventual ulceration, weight loss, and death within the 2-3 weeks.8,9

Niacin is prone to degradation with heat processing. Conditions associated with diuresis (e.g., chronic disease, such as renal disease or diabetes, or therapeutic intervention, such as intravenous fluids or increased water intake with management of lower urinary diseases) can result in increased loss of niacin and may increase daily requirements. Patient on chronic haemodialysis are at an increased risk for developing a deficiency.  

Niacin is prone to degradation with heat processing. Conditions associated with diuresis (e.g., chronic disease, such as renal disease or diabetes, or therapeutic intervention, such as intravenous fluids or increased water intake with management of lower urinary diseases) can result in increased loss of niacin and may increase daily requirements. Patient on chronic haemodialysis are at an increased risk for developing a deficiency.  

Toxicity

Toxicity

There are no published studies evaluating niacin toxicity in cats. In dogs one study reported bloody diarrhoea in 2 dogs that were fed approximately x250 the adult requirement, and chronic exposure (11 days) resulted in death.10 In humans, where it is used to help manage hypercholesterolemia, a high intake niacin (x25 the minimum requirement)  can cause peripheral vasodilation (i.e., “flushing”).5 This side effect of therapeutic niacin has not been evaluated in dogs.

There are no published studies evaluating niacin toxicity in cats. In dogs one study reported bloody diarrhoea in 2 dogs that were fed approximately x250 the adult requirement, and chronic exposure (11 days) resulted in death.10 In humans, where it is used to help manage hypercholesterolemia, a high intake niacin (x25 the minimum requirement)  can cause peripheral vasodilation (i.e., “flushing”).5 This side effect of therapeutic niacin has not been evaluated in dogs.

Dietary Sources

Dietary Sources

Niacin is naturally occurring in muscle and organ meats and pulses (i.e., legumes). Dietary niacin is typlically found in the form of nicotinic acid in plant based materials, and as NAD or NADP in animal based materials. Certain whole grains such as corn and sorghum  have a relatively high niacin content, but in these foods niacin is concentrated in the bran and germ layers and has poor bioavailability (i.e., highly bound within the cell), making them  a poor source of dietary niacin. Niacin is also sensitive to degradation with heating and additional supplementation is required with commercial pet foods.  

Niacin is naturally occurring in muscle and organ meats and pulses (i.e., legumes). Dietary niacin is typlically found in the form of nicotinic acid in plant based materials, and as NAD or NADP in animal based materials. Certain whole grains such as corn and sorghum  have a relatively high niacin content, but in these foods niacin is concentrated in the bran and germ layers and has poor [[Nutrition Glossary#Bioavailability|bioavailability]] (i.e., highly bound within the cell), making them  a poor source of dietary niacin. Niacin is also sensitive to degradation with heating and additional supplementation is required with commercial pet foods.  

Diagnosing Niacin Deficiency

Diagnosing Niacin Deficiency

Diagnosis of niacin deficiency can be made using the nicotinamide loading test, which measures urine excretion of niacin metabolites;11 though not routinely tested through veterinary reference laboratories.  

Diagnosis of niacin deficiency can be made using the nicotinamide loading test, which measures urine excretion of niacin metabolites;11 though not routinely tested through veterinary reference laboratories.  

Diagnosis is also made on clinical signs consistent with deficiency and evaluation of diet.

Diagnosis is also made on clinical signs consistent with deficiency and evaluation of diet.

References

 

==References==

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