Menadione
Risk Factor: CM*
Class: VITAMINS
Contents of this page:
Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers
Fetal Risk Summary
Menadione (vitamin K3) is a synthetic, fat-soluble form of vitamin K used to prevent hypoprothrombinemia as a result of vitamin K deficiency. The water-soluble derivative of menadione, menadiol sodium phosphate, also known as vitamin K3, is available for parenteral use.
Vitamin K1 occurs naturally in a variety of foods and is synthesized by the normal intestinal flora (see Phytonadione). Administration of vitamin K during pregnancy is usually not required unless the mother develops hypoprothrombinemia or is taking certain drugs that may produce severe vitamin K deficiency in the fetus, resulting in hemorrhagic disease of the newborn (e.g., anticonvulsants, warfarin, rifampin, isoniazid). Early attempts to prevent maternal-induced hemorrhagic disease of the newborn by administering vitamin K3 to the mother shortly before delivery often resulted in marked hyperbilirubinemia and kernicterus in the newborn, especially in premature infants (1,2,3 and 4). Several large reviews have described the relationship between vitamin K and bilirubin and have discussed the toxicity of the vitamin K analogues (1,2,3 and 4). Because menadione and menadiol may produce newborn toxicity, phytonadione is considered the drug of choice for administration during pregnancy or to the newborn (5,6).
[*Risk Factor X if used in 3rd trimester or close to delivery.]
Breast Feeding Summary
See Phytonadione.
References
- Lane PA, Hathaway WE. Vitamin K in infancy. J Pediatr 1985;106:3519.
- Payne NR, Hasegawa DK. Vitamin K deficiency in newborns: a case report in a-1-antitrypsin deficiency and a review of factors predisposing to hemorrhage. Pediatrics 1984;73:7126.
- Wynn RM. The obstetric significance of factors affecting the metabolism of bilirubin, with particular Reference to the role of vitamin K. Obstet Gynecol Surv 1963;18:33354.
- Finkel MJ. Vitamin K1 and the vitamin K analogues. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1961;2:795814.
- Committee on Nutrition, American Academy of Pediatrics. Vitamin K compounds and the water-soluble analogues. Pediatrics 1961;28:5017.
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Committee on Nutrition, American Academy of Pediatrics. Vitamin and mineral supplement needs in normal children in the United States. Pediatrics 1980;66:101521.
Questions and Answers
Anybody know anything about the Menadione ingredient in pet foods?, The food I feed my kitten has it in it, any ideas what food to feed him that doesn't have it?
I don't see it in this one - Premium Edge Finicky Cat
Chicken, chicken meal, egg product, cracked pearled barley, ground rice, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), salmon, potatoes, natural chicken flavor, flaxseed, sodium bisulfate, ocean fish meal, potassium chloride, methionine, choline chloride, dried chicory root, taurine, kelp, carrots, peas, apples, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, dried skim milk, cranberry powder, rosemary extract, parsley flake, yucca schidigera extract, L-Carnitine, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, niacin, manganese proteinate, copper proteinate, zinc sulfate, manganese sulfate, copper sulfate, thiamine mononitrate, vitamin A supplement, biotin, potassium iodide, calcium pantothenate, riboflavin, pyridoxinehydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, manganous oxide, sodium selenite, vitamin D supplement, folic acid.
Crude Protein 34.0% Minimum
Crude Fat 18.0% Minimum
Crude Fiber 3.0% Maximum
Moisture 10.0% Maximum
Ash 6.5% Maximum
Magnesium 0.1% Maximum
Zinc 120 mg/kg Minimum
Selenium 0.4 mg/kg Minimum
Vitamin E 300 IU/kg Minimum
Taurine 0.1% Minimum
Omega-6 Fatty Acids * 3.0% Minimum
Omega-3 Fatty Acids * 0.5% Minimum
* Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profile.
Calorie Content: 3,935 kcal/kg (368 kcal/cup) Calculated Metabolizable Energy.
***The thing I don't like is that it's slightly lower in taurine than some of the other brands. You could always get some taurine capsules and mix some in w/ canned food.
Found here: http://greycathouse.com/shop.php?page=de...
Check these one's out too - they are all good choices b/c they have a source of meat as the 1st ingredient ("chicken", etc):
Castor & Pollux Organix Feline Formula, Wellness, California Natural, Honest Kitchen, Wysong Anergen Canine & Feline Diet, Natural Balance Ultra Premium, Wysong Archetype Canine & Feline Diets, ZiwiPeak Daily Cat Cuisine, Newman's Own Organics, Halo Spot's Stew Dry Cat Food, Timberwolf Serengeti Herbal Feline, Chicken Soup for the Cat Lover's Soul, Natural Planet Organics, Blue Buffalo Spa Selects, Blue Buffalo Blue Organics, or Solid Gold.
You can find all of the ingredient lists here:
http://search.onlynaturalpet.com/search....
I have a 4 month old kitten I have him on Nutro Indoor Kitten I want to switch caues of the Menadione any idea, Thinking about Blue Spa Select or Welness kitten, want to reduce shedding as well, anyone have any ideas?
I have used Purina Kitten Chow for all 5 of my cats, and moved them to regular Purina Cat Chow and they all have beautiful coats and are healthy, well sized cats. Everyone who comes over and meets my cats says that they are the softest, shiny-est cats they have ever seen! I love them and pet them and feed them Purina Cat Chow, and it seems to do the trick! I don't think that the more expensive foods are better than Purina. It's always a great price, it's easy to find at any store and it seems to keep mine healthy and happy, so Purina is what I recommend.
(I so sound like a Purina worker or something, but I just really like it!)
Why is Menadione Bisodium sulfate(cheap form of vitamin k) bad for dogs?,
It makes the body form clots in the blood, which can lead to a wide variety of problems for your pet.
Is menadione sulphate toxic for parrots?, Some pet food companies that make organic pellets for parrots claims "Menadione sulphate - present in practically every parrot food brand - is toxic for parrots".
I am confused because menadione is K vitamin, isn't it?
Is this true? How does the menadione sulphate exerts its toxic effect in parrots?
I have never heard anything about this subject one way or the other. If I was in your shoes, I would ask a veterinarian or a vet school. I do not know if any of them have a website or not. I would type veterinarian into the search box and see if anything comes up that looks promising.
Is menadione (vitamine K3) harmful for pets?, Firstly, my apologises for my english, I live in Brazil and my native language is the Portuguese.
I use ProPlan Puppy Large Breed for my 6 months old GSD. ProPlan contains menadione (vitaminte K3) listed as ingredient and I am quite worried since I heard it may be toxic in pets. Is that really true?
I would prefer organic pet foods, but unfortunately they are not availabe for sale in Brazil.
Menadione, also known as vitamin K3, is a synthetic version of vitamin K. The natural occuring compounds are vitamin K1 (Phylloquinone, from plant sources) and Vitamin K2 (Menaquinone, synthesized by bacteria in the digestive tract and absorbed by the body). Technically menadione isn't even a vitamin, but a precursor that is converted in the body after ingestion. Natural vitamin K is fat soluble, while menadione derivatives (pure menadione can not be processed) are water soluble and bypass the natural pathway of utilization by the body.
Menadione is added as an inexpensive vitamin K supplement in commercial foods. The common statement as to why it is added is "to help with blood clotting", yet it is scientifically proven that the effectivity of menadione on blood clotting is inferior. Even veterinarians will administer vitamin K1 as an antidote to dogs who have for example ingested rat poison, which causes internal bleeding.
Manufacturers who use menadione in their products also like to claim that it is "more stable" than natural vitamin K and has "more nutritional value". Not a single one of them has acknowledged the scientifically proven side effects of this substance.
Why is it bad?
Here is a list of negative effects of menadione on the body.
* causes cytotoxicity in liver cells
* causes formation of radicals from enzymes of leucocytes, with the consequence of cytotoxic reactions
* considerably weakens the immune system
* possible mutagenic effects
* damages the natural vitamin K cycle
* has no effect on coumarin derivatives, which are often present in commercial food due to mold contamination (toxic when ingested)
* causes hemolytic anemia and hyperbilirubinemia, not just linked to large doses
* disturbs the level of calcium ions (Ca2+) in the body, which is an important factor fibrinolysis
* is directly toxic in high doses (vomiting, albuminuria), unlike natural vitamin K
* builds up in tissue and has been detected in eggs, meat and milk of animals supplemented with menadione derivatives
* causes irritation of skin and mucous membranes
* causes allergic reactions and eczema
Menadione (e.g. menadione sodium bisulfate, menadione sodium bisulfite or menadione dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfite)
* has never been researched or specifically approved for long term use, such as in pet food
* has been banned from use in food and supplements for human use in many European countries due to serious side effects, including permanent damage and deaths
* FDA has banned synthetic vitamin K from over-the-counter supplements because of its high toxicity
* vitamins K1 and K2 are metabolized through the lymphatic system, utilizing pancreatic enzymes and bile acids and regulated by the liver. Vitamin K3 is absorbed directly and bypasses the natural pathways and regulators.
Is Menadione (vitamin K3) harmful for pets?, I heard this substance may be toxic for pets. Is that really true?
Not if it's prescribed for a pet by a Veterinarian.
But of course, it is found in many pet foods...
Menadione, also known as vitamin K3, is a synthetic version of vitamin K and is added as a supplement in commercial pet foods.
It is added is "to help with blood clotting".
Common sense would indicate that, if the common vitamin K sources used in feeds for all kinds of animals, including birds, mammals and fish, were at all toxic, in any species, at the levels commonly used, the use of these vitamin K sources would have ceased very shortly after their introduction more than 50 years ago.
http://www.wysong.net/vitamink.shtml
Is there any cockatiel diet that does not use menadione?, I know menadione/sodium bisulfate complex/dimethylpyrimidinol bisulfate is fake vitamin K and linked to health issues. I have looked online and in stores and can't seem to find a single bird/cockatiel (seed or pellet) food/diet that does NOT contain fake vitamin K; even the higher quality and supposed "premium" diets do. Does anyone know of a cockatiel/medium hookbill diet that doesn't contain this?
Thanks!
We feed our birds (a cockatiel and a budgie) the Hagen brand Budgie "original blend" seed mix. It's the same as the Hagen Cockatiel mix except it does not contain the sunflower seeds which we buy separately in bulk and then add to the cockatiels seeds. This mix does contain a lot of added vitamins and minerals but it does not appear to contain the vitamin K you refer to in your question. Just out of curiosity, what is your concern about vitamin K? Also, you should know that your cockatiel will eat a lot of healthy human foods that are really good for him/her like apple, corn, beans, rice, berries, hemp seeds etc.
They especially love string beans which are in season right now. Cheese is a favorite too. They also love multigrain bread and oatmeal. If you supplement their diet with tasty human food they will get a lot more vitamins than what's in the prepared seed mixes. And they'll be happier too, especially if you give them play time outside the cage along with the treats...
Knowing the dangers of Menadione?, WHY do you still incorporate this liver damaging substance into your dog and cat foods??? I would REALLY like to know this. There is no known reason for any type of Vitamin k usage for dogs or cats and when Vets feel the need they use a Natural form as in K1 or K2. While I applaude the dis use of animal by products the fact remains that Menadione causes severe problems in animals and while AFFCO may feel it is safe for poulty or swine there is no comparrison to canines or felines. Since other reputable companies have removed this product Purina continues to use it and I would like to know why. I am sure I am not alone in this query. Thank you for the opportunity to ask this question.
Hi Evelyn... your question seems to be directed towards Purina. It may be helpful to directly write a letter to the Nestlé/Purina Pet Care public relations division:
https://offers.purina.com/ContactUs/Cont...
Public Relations:
For information regarding Nestlé Purina PetCare Company Press Releases or for Media Inquiries, please phone (314) 982-2261.
Dog Food comparisons Nutro vs Blue Buffalo?, I currently feed my min pin (dry) small bites by Natural Choice by Nutro. We are thinking of changing his diet mainly becasue of what we have recently read on Menadione Sodium Bisulfate... mixed in the Nutro. Blue Buffalo is quickly making its way to the top of the list. Would this be a wise move? Also, the Nutro first ingredient is Lamb meal. BLUE's mall breed is only in a chicken based. My dog is not allergic to chicken. Would a switch of food with a different main ingredient be good for him?
Blue Buffalo is an excellent choice if you have minpins. You could feed the fish and sweet potato and get great coats and skin. My four pins, my manchester, and all three of my herding dogs eat Blue. People often remark how shiny and healthy my pins look. It also keeps up with their energy level.
My dog has allergies. She needs a good quality dry food. they suggested Nature's recipe venison meal ?, It has menadione in it. they say stay away from that. i need a pet food that is great quality but wont have allergy properties for her. Someone suggest something or should i stay on this product?
I have 2 dogs with different allergies and I have tried several different brands! The ones that have worked are EVO red meat and solid gold barking at the moon! Both are grain free and gluten free! They are the best places to start! Do you know what his allergies are?
Here is a few more really good food that I can not try because my female has an allergy to chicken!
EVO chicken yellow bag http://www.evopet.com/
Taste of the wild- I would personal try this one first if I was you unless there is a chicken allergy! Very good and it cheaper then the other but all but one have chicken =( http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/
Solid gold http://www.solidgoldhealth.com/products/...
http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_...
