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Folic acid or vitamin B9 is a water-soluble synthetic
folate. Naturally occurring folate is found in many foods. Folates have
an important role in nucleoprotein synthesis, homocysteine metabolism,
cellular division, erythropoeisis, neural development and the synthesis
of neurotransmitters. Folic acid is primarily absorbed by carrier-mediated
diffusion within the proximal small intestine. Folic-acid supplementation
is frequently prescribed in humans during pregnancy and when animals or
humans are taking drugs that may interfere with folate absorption. There
are multiple drugs that may affect folate levels due to competitive, reversible
inhibition of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase.
Folic acid supplementation is used in animals at risk for folate deficiency, particularly animals with small intestinal disease or malabsorption. Serum-folate levels should be determined prior to therapy; in some instances serum-folate levels are actually increased due to bacterial synthesis of folate within the small intestine. Cats with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency are more likely to have folate deficiency than dogs with pancreatic insufficiency because of the synthesis of folate by small intestinal bacteria in dogs.
Research on cleft palates in brachycephalic breeds of dogs supports the use of folic acid supplementation in the pregnant bitch as a means of decreasing the incidence of cleft palate by as much as 48-76 percent. There is a great deal of research supporting folic-acid supplementation in pregnant women as a means of preventing neural tube defects.
Hyper-homocysteinemia is a risk factor for thromboembolism
in people; there is some preliminary data that supports the use of folic-acid
supplementation in cats with hyper-homocysteinemia or those recovering
from thromboembolism.
Folic-acid supplementation is sometimes used in horses,
particularly broodmares and breeding stallions, undergoing long-term treatment
for equine protozoal myeloencephalitis with the anitprotozoal drugs pyrimethamine
and sulfonamides. These drugs are known to inhibit dihydrofolate reductase.
Folic acid is considered relatively nontoxic; side effects
are unlikely. CNS side effects have occurred in humans following very
high doses.
• Folate levels may be variable in dogs with enteropathy.
Before administering supplemental folic acid, colbalamin and folate levels
should be established.
• Drugs that interfere with folate utilization include anti-convulsants
(dilantin, phenytoin and primidone), sulfasalazine, barbiturates, nitrofurantoin,
methotrexate, trimethoprim and pyrimethamine.
• Chloramphenicol may slow the response to folic acid supplementation
• In cases of accidental overdose, excess folic acid will be metabolized
or excreted in the urine.
Dr.
Barbara Forney is a veterinary practitioner in Chester County, Pennsylvania.
She has a master's degree in animal science from the University of Delaware
and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
in 1982.
She began to develop her interest in client education and medical writing 1997. Recent publications include portions of The Pill Book Guide to Medication for Your Dog and Cat, and most recently Understanding Equine Medications published by the Bloodhorse.
Dr. Forney is an FEI veterinarian and an active member of the AAEP, AVMA, and AMWA.
You can purchase books by Dr. Forney at www.exclusivelyequine.com
The information contained on this site
is general in nature and is intended for use as an informational aid. It does
not cover all possible uses, actions, precautions, side effects, or interactions
of the products shown, nor is the information intended as medical advice or
diagnosis for individual health problems or for making an evaluation as to the
risks and benefits of using a particular product. You should consult your doctor
about diagnosis and treatment of any health problems. Information and statements
have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA"),
nor has the FDA approved the products to diagnose, cure or prevent disease.
Wedgewood compounded veterinary preparations are not intended for use in food and food-producing animals.
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