Cobalamin and other Vitamin Deficiencies in our Patients with Chronic Intestinal Disease

The answer is yes! Cobalamin or vitamin B12 has a huge range of functions in the human, feline and canine body. The literature evidence of its importance continues to grow. Take a journey with us as we delve into the world of this fascinating water-soluble vitamin. We will discuss when and why cobalamin is so important, how to and when to test for this molecule and most importantly how to treat patients deficient in cobalamin. Understanding this vitamin may just change your life for the better! Furthermore, we explore the world of Vitamin D (among other key nutrients), its role in health and disease in the chronic enteropathy patient.

Dr Luke Johnston

BVSc (Hons) MANZCVS (SAIM), FANZCVS (SAIM) Specialisation: Registered Specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine

Luke graduated from the University of Queensland in 2015 with a degree in Veterinary Science. With a passion for specialty training, he completed a 6 month training program as a rotating intern at VSS and a further 12months internship training in the States.

Shortly after he completed his residency training in Australia and his fellowship exams in 2021 and is now registered specialist in Small Animal Internal Medicine. He has worked in a multitude of hospitals to improve his expertise and knowledge including SASH (NSW) VSS (QLD), PenVet (VIC) and VCA San Francisco (CA, USA). He is proud to be apart of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Science as vice president of the Small Animal internal medicine chapter and an examiner for future specialists of the college. He currently works at Advanced Vetcare in Kew and Kensington in Melbourne where he trains residents (future specialists in small animal medicine). Luke presented over 40 lectures in 2024 nationally and internationally in internal medicine to vets and nurses and is a published author in international journals. Luke has a passion for education and delivering key messages to vets and nurses to be able to implement evidence-based medicine in practical and reliable means. His interests include endocrinology, gastro-intestinal disease, immunology and neurological disease.