Symptoms & Prevention of Vitamin A Deficiency in Does

Section 1: Symptoms of Vitamin A Deficiency in Female Rabbits

1. A deficiency in Vitamin A in female rabbits can lead to blurred corneas, white spots, and the accumulation of purulent secretions around the eyes. If the rabbit does not receive adequate vitamin supplementation, the condition can worsen significantly, resulting in severe inflammation of the cornea and iris, and potentially causing permanent blindness.

2. Vitamin A deficiency can also lead to infertility in female rabbits. Even if the rabbit becomes pregnant after successful fertilization, early fetal death may occur, leading to miscarriage, stillbirth, or malformed embryos.

3. Female rabbits suffering from Vitamin A deficiency may give birth to kits prone to hydrocephalus, primarily due to elevated intracranial pressure in the rabbit's brain marrow. Kits born under these circumstances may not necessarily have hydrocephalus but can still exhibit growth delays and neurological symptoms, such as paralysis of the limbs, and a loss of bodily control.

Section 2: How to Prevent and Treat Vitamin A Deficiency in Female Rabbits

1. Preventive Measures: Start by ensuring that female rabbits receive an adequate supply of Vitamin A or carrots. Feeding rabbits a diet rich in carotenoids, such as highquality hay, yellow corn, old pumpkin, and sweet potatoes, is a simple and reliable method for prevention. In cases of Vitamin A deficiency, feeding a large amount of carrots to rabbits can be an effective way to supplement their diet and combat the deficiency.

Section 3: Medicinal Vitamin A Supplementation

(1) Administering Vitamin A capsules to rabbits can be done according to the medication's instructions. Typically, this involves feeding the rabbit once daily for a week, followed by a oneweek break before starting another course until the rabbit's health is restored.

(2) Providing oral fish liver oil supplements can also help. The recommended dosage is 12ml per feeding, which can be mixed with the rabbit's feed at a ratio of 0.2ml of fish liver oil per kilogram of feed.

(3) Intramuscular injections of Vitamin A can be given to rabbits, combining 50,000 units of Vitamin A with 5,000 units of Vitamin D.

By following these guidelines, pet owners can ensure that their rabbits maintain a balanced diet and avoid Vitamin A deficiency. Generally, as long as the diet is scientifically formulated, rabbits should not experience a lack of Vitamin A. If a deficiency is detected, it's essential for pet owners to adjust their rabbit's diet accordingly.