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Vitamin A

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Sourced from primary literature. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Drug Class

Supplement

Routes

POIM

Indications

Chronic dietary supplementationDietary supplementationDietary vitamin A supplementationHepatic lipidosis adjuncthypovitaminosis Arespiratory infections adjunctVitamin A deficiencyVitamin A responsive dermatosisVitamin A supplementation

Mechanism of Action

Essential fat-soluble vitamin required for vision, epithelial integrity, immune function, and reproduction. Deficiency common in captive reptiles and turtles on inadequate diets.

Side effects & warnings

NARROW therapeutic index — hypervitaminosis A causes hepatotoxicity and skin sloughing. Do not overdose. Particularly important in chelonians and box turtles. Toxicity signs include skin peeling.

Species with Vitamin A dosing data (22 dose rules)

African Grey ParrotBall PythonBearded DragonCat (Domestic)Dog (Domestic)Guinea PigRabbit (Domestic)

Evidence levels across 22 dose rules

Moderate×14Anecdotal×4Extrapolated×4

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Backed by 2 published primary sources

  • · Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed
  • · Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

Sample dosing (2 of 22 cited rules)

Free-tier preview — dog and cat dosing. Pro and Student unlock all 7 species including reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine.

SpeciesRouteDoseFrequencyEvidenceSource
Dog (Domestic)PO0 IU/kgq24hModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed
Dog (Domestic)PO0 IU/kgq24hModeratePlumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 9th Ed

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