Epi4Dogs

Hi guys, My 10 lb Tinkerbell is currently getting B-12 injections every week for the past 5 weeks. The Vet said to go to once a month after 6 weeks. But her level was so low <150 on the TLI test and I read 600 is a good level. Is that blood test the only way to know if she is on track? So expensive! And also if I use pills instead of injections, how will I know the dose and if it’s enough. BTW, mouth sores are all gone now thanks to your suggestions. You guys have been wonderful.

Firstly congratulations on the mouth sores going away, our suggestions are great but, its you that has done the work

I can only go back in time, Karas b12 was lower than this, the 8-2 hr food fasted blood test for cobalamin ( b12) is the only test known at the moment , and yes , its expensive, I remember my husband Derek coming home with Kara after her tests, throwing his credit card on the table, and saying, well its beans on toast for a few weeks !

It never happened,, you just get a shock, she was insured but its not the point

We never got her retested, we could tell when her levels were,low, she became silly, reactive, and pathetic, she had one injection a month all of her life, and two b12 capsules a day all of her life, she could never hold her levels

Kara was 90 pounds in weight so I would maybe say 1 a day for a few weeks and then every other day, b12 is eliminated by the body if not used, just keep a diary on any changes

If there is anything else, ask away


Jeanx

Hi Patti. So glad the mouth sores are gone. I don't recommend waiting a month for another shot as we see too many pups having set backs during that time. I would go ahead and switch to the WonderLabs Pet Factor pills. The trick with B12 is finding the right dose for your dog. Some like my big boy need 2 pills a day while others can get 1 pill 3x a week or even 1 pill once a week. The test is the only "true" way to know what the B12 levels are - that being said you should be able to tell by symptoms - lethargic, weight loss, mood change, loss of appetite, etc. I had his tested once after diagnosis but that was 4 1/2 yrs ago. So as long as you are continuing to see weight gain or have already reached the right weight, poops are good, appetite and mood are good I would go with the dosing recommendation on the WonderLabs bottle an then you can "tweak" from there.

And then there's another factor: B12 pills are of the same size and contain the same amount, but a pug and a Caucasian shepherd won't need the same doses. So, it's to be calculated on empirical evidence and vet's advice for each dog...

good point , but they will excrete any wasted b12 out through urine

Hi Patti. I just realized your dog weighs only 10lbs. Here is a link to the dosing instructions for B12 https://vetmed.tamu.edu/gilab/research/ ... on/#dosing

So if using the WonderLabs pills (contains 1000ug) I would start with 1/4 of the pill.