Biotin, despite being a vitamin from the B complex, is more popularly known as vitamin H. In dogs, vitamin B7, as biotin is also called, is recommended for the treatment of allergic reactions and of health conditions that affect the skin. The efficiency of this vitamin when treating allergic reaction is known to be higher if it used in combination with fatty acids. However, the results may differ from one dog to another, so administering biotin may not always be the best solution. It is important to find out what is the cause of the skin problems, in order to see whether biotin could alleviate the symptoms.
Effects of Biotin in Dogs
Vitamin H is not only effective in the treatment of allergic reactions and skin conditions. It also seems to play an important role in the following processes:
- Digestion
- Growth
- Muscle formation
Hence, you should rely on this vitamin if your dog suffers from a skin problem or simply if you want to improve any of the aforementioned processes.
Biotin Deficiency in Dogs
A deficiency of vitamin B7 may be the precise cause of the skin disorders. This explains why the symptoms tend to alleviate when administering biotin. Some of the problems associated with biotin deficiency include:
- Anemia
- Dry haircoat
- Lathery
- Skin lesions
To make sure that these are determined by a lack of biotin and not something else, it is best to take the dog to a veterinarian. After consulting the dog, the veterinarian will determine if supplementation with vitamin H is necessary or not. Biotin deficiency may be noticed after giving the dog raw egg whites. The absorption of biotin is inhibited when raw eggs are consumed, because these contain the Avidin enzyme.
Availability and Administration of Vitamin B7
This vitamin is available in powder form, either alone or in combination with other substances. Brewer’s yeast, for example, includes several other compounds besides biotin. More than that, there are also several natural sources of vitamin B7, the most important being:
- Liver
- Seed oils
- Yeast
If the diet of your dog includes any of these sources, chances are there will not by any deficiency problems. Even though there are no side effects or toxic reactions associated to biotin administration, dog owners are recommended to consult a veterinarian in order to find out the best dosage for their dog. As an alternative, you could follow the administration instruction listed on the supplement container. Supplements based on this vitamin may have different concentrations of biotin, and that is why it is safer to ask a veterinarian.
Adverse Reactions to Vitamin H
Biotin is a water-soluble vitamin, so it will not pose a threat to the health of your dog, even if an overdose is administered. The excess will not affect in any way the liver or the kidneys, and will be eliminated once with the urine. In other words, both the risks of toxicity and overdose are reduced to a minimum. Some dog owners may think that administering a higher dose will improve the symptoms faster, but this is far from the truth. Besides, biotin is available at a rather high price, so administering a dose that is higher than the necessary is simply a waste of money.