Vitamin K serves as a coenzyme for the gamma-glutamyl carboxylase enzyme, which is essential in the synthesis of several clotting factors, including factors II, VII, IX, and X. A deficiency in vitamin K can lead to prolonged clotting times, increased risk of bleeding, and in severe cases, even death. Beyond its role in blood clotting, vitamin K has been found to have additional pharmacological benefits, such as anti-inflammatory effects, anti-diarrheal properties, reduction of mucosal congestion and swelling, and antipyretic and analgesic actions.
In animal husbandry, vitamin K is widely used, with vitamin K3 (menadione) and vitamin K4 being the most commonly applied forms. When administering vitamin K3, it's often recommended to also provide a calcium supplement to support overall health and prevent complications.
1. To reduce excessive bleeding during slaughter, vitamin K3 should be added to the feed 1 or 2 days before the procedure. The recommended dosage is 2 grams per ton of feed.
2. Adding 0.53 mg of vitamin K3 per kilogram of body weight to the feed can help shorten clotting time, prevent internal bleeding, and reduce chick mortality. This method is often used as an auxiliary treatment for coccidiosis in chickens.
3. For treating chicks, vitamin K3 can be administered via intramuscular injection at a dose of 2 mg per kilogram of body weight, twice daily. Alternatively, it can be mixed with water. Most chicks show improvement within one day and recover fully by the third day.
4. When using sulfa drugs or antibiotics in feed, vitamin K deficiency may occur because these medications can interfere with vitamin K absorption. Symptoms include subcutaneous hemorrhages, hematomas, and large bleeding spots on the chest, feet, wings, and abdominal cavity. Affected birds may appear weak, shiver, and die quickly. To prevent this, chicks can be supplemented with 0.5 mg of vitamin K3 per kilogram of feed, while pigs can receive 2–4 mg of synthetic vitamin K2 per kilogram of body weight.
By understanding the importance of vitamin K in both health and production, farmers can better manage their livestock’s well-being and ensure optimal growth and performance.
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