Thiamine deficiency

Thiamine (vitamin B1) is a highly labile vitamin, which undergoes rapid deterioration under normal storage conditions.

Captive fish-eating reptiles (such as garter snakes) and semi-aquatic turtles are most commonly affected if they are fed fish high in thiaminases, or frozen fish thawed slowly over several hours (this process will lead to depletion of thiamine by enzymatic destruction by thiaminase) or inappropriately stored fish. Herbivorous reptiles, such as green iguanas (Iguana iguana), can potentially develop signs of thiamine deficiency if fed frozen then thawed vegetables, which contain phytothiaminases (Calvert, 2004).

Neurologic signs are commonly seen with deficiencies because thiamine is essential to brain function. These clinical signs can be similar to those caused by hypocalcaemia, therefore a detailed dietary history, response to treatment with vitamin B1 and ionised blood calcium level can help identify the primary cause and allow a more specific treatment.

• https://www.vettimes.com/clinical/equine/common-nutritional-disorders-of-captive-reptiles-cpdreptiles

• Calvert I (2004). Nutritional problems. In Girling SJ and Raiti P (eds), BSAVA Manual of Reptiles, BSAVA, Gloucester, UK: 289-308.