Study supports cobalamin supplement for cats with hypocobalaminemia

Image courtesy of Nutramax

The results of a newly published study on an oral cobalamin supplement with metabolically active folate (5-MTHF) (Cobalequin; Nutramax Laboratories Veterinary Sciences) show the therapy may be beneficial for normalizing serum cobalamin and methylmalonic acid (MMA) concentrations in felines. The supplement is administered for hypocobalaminemia—vitamin B12 deficiency—with chronic gastrointestinal disease (CGID) or exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI).^1,2

Published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, this investigation is the first prospective study evaluating the benefits of oral cobalamin supplementation in cats with the condition, according to Nutramax. “Results from this clinical study provide cat owners with options for care," Nicolette Harris Wiezbiski, DVM, said in a news release.¹

Felines have an essential requirement for cobalamin, an enzyme involved with metabolic reactions, as well as other nutrients that cannot be synthesized.² Cobalamin is essential as a cofactor for intracellular enzymes that are vital in sustaining mammalian cell functions, according to the release.¹

Hypocobalaminemia is often associated with gastrointestinal (GI) tract, pancreas and liver diseases. Clinical signs of cobalamin deficiency are often associated with other conditions but often include anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, growth disorders and neurological states.^1,2

The new study compared 48 cats owned by clients with low vitamin B12 associated with either CGID or EPI. The feline participants were randomly assigned to receive oral cobalamin supplement with 5-MTHF or subcutaneous cobalamin injections for 12 and 10 weeks, respectively. None of the cats participating in this study had previously received any form of cobalamin, according to the release.¹

The study’s authors found that both oral and subcutaneous forms of cobalamin effectively increased serum cobalamin concentrations in cats with either CFID or EPI. Serum MMA concentrations decreased in all cats evaluated.¹

"Oral cobalamin supplementation can benefit cats while being convenient for owners. In addition, this study provides a better understanding of the benefits of cobalamin supplementation,” said Wiezbiski in the release.¹

References

1. Clinical study supports benefits of Cobalequin in cats. News release. Nutramax. September 24, 2024.
2. Siani G, Mercaldo B, Slterisio MC, DiLoria A. Vitamin B12 in cats: nutrition, metabolism and disease. Animals (Basel). 2023:13(9):1474. doi:10.3390/ani13091474