Uncooperative piggie

[Mother of Piggies]

Hi! I’m having problems with my two year old Abyssinian boar: he has a broken/missing tooth, which was almost definitely caused by a lack of vitamin c. I feed all of my piggies vitamin c tablets, which all except for Chewbacca (the pig in question) love. I’ve recently been trying even harder than usual to get him to eat them, but I’ve had no luck. I’ve tried holding him and feeding it to him by hand; grinding it up and sprinkling it in his kibble; and leaving it in his cage for him to find; but he still refuses. I don’t know what to do...please help!

 

[ILoveGilbertTheGuineaPig]

Hi, has he been to the vet to see if there are any other issues with his teeth? How is he otherwise? Is he eating his other foods? My guess would be that he is painful if the tooth is bothering him. You could also try giving him veggies with lots of Vit C like bell peppers (especially the red ones) and cilantro.

 

[Mother of Piggies]

Hi, has he been to the vet to see if there are any other issues with his teeth? How is he otherwise? Is he eating his other foods? My guess would be that he is painful if the tooth is bothering him. You could also try giving him veggies with lots of Vit C like bell peppers (especially the red ones) and cilantro.

He has not been to the vet as I discovered his missing tooth yesterday, and even before the missing tooth he didn’t like the tablets. I will try feeding him those foods. Thank you!

 

[ILoveGilbertTheGuineaPig]

He has not been to the vet as I discovered his missing tooth yesterday, and even before the missing tooth he didn’t like the tablets. I will try feeding him those foods. Thank you!

If he shows any other signs such as decreased appetite, lack of energy, or anything that may signify he is painful or uncomfortable, I would consider taking him to the vet because piggies are quite fragile creatures and they can go downhill quickly! Sorry I don't mean to scare you, just want to make sure that tooth issue doesn't turn into something worse!

 

[Mother of Piggies]

Alright. Thanks!

 

[Wiebke]

Hi! I’m having problems with my two year old Abyssinian boar: he has a broken/missing tooth, which was almost definitely caused by a lack of vitamin c. I feed all of my piggies vitamin c tablets, which all except for Chewbacca (the pig in question) love. I’ve recently been trying even harder than usual to get him to eat them, but I’ve had no luck. I’ve tried holding him and feeding it to him by hand; grinding it up and sprinkling it in his kibble; and leaving it in his cage for him to find; but he still refuses. I don’t know what to do...please help!

Hi! I’m having problems with my two year old Abyssinian boar: he has a broken/missing tooth, which was almost definitely caused by a lack of vitamin c. I feed all of my piggies vitamin c tablets, which all except for Chewbacca (the pig in question) love. I’ve recently been trying even harder than usual to get him to eat them, but I’ve had no luck. I’ve tried holding him and feeding it to him by hand; grinding it up and sprinkling it in his kibble; and leaving it in his cage for him to find; but he still refuses. I don’t know what to do...please help!

Hi!

Extra vitamin C is only necessary if you do not feed it into your general diet. If you give too much vitamin C on a regular basis, you risk your guinea pigs ironically developing symptoms of scurvy as soon as their vitamin C level drops because of illness or you missing dosages for some reason.
It is much better for the long term to feed a carefully balanced general diet and only give extra vitamin C as 2-3 booster in case of illness. Please note that hay and grass also contain vitamin C, not just veg and fortified pellets. Piggies on a general good diet do not require any additional vitamin C.
Long Term Balanced General And Special Needs Guinea Pig Diets

If you need to give additional vitamin C, the best way is dissolve it in a little water and to syringe. Because of the scurvy issue with dropped vitamin C levels you can't go cold turkey with your piggies used to a steady high level, though! You have to come down very, very gradually over a period of weeks or even months depending on what kind of extra dosage you give. If yours have been on high vitamin C since very young, you may have to top up life long because their body is too used to it.

By the way, snapped teeth are generally not caused by lack of vitamin C (unless you feed the wrong diet). This is only the case if the same tooth breaks off repeatedly and not just as a one-off.

 

[Bill & Ted]

please see this guide on broken teeth, make sure your piggie is eating a proper diet with plenty of hay. If you give a variety of vegetables, herbs and forage like grass and dandelions you shouldn’t really need to give them vit C tablets.
If your boys broken tooth is causing him problems, is sharp or the gum is sore then see a vet immediately. If the root of the tooth is damaged then you may have further problems with the front teeth as the damaged tooth will grow “fat” and unbalance the rest of his incisors, hopefully this will not happen x
Guinea Lynx :: Broken Teeth

 

[Freela]

I would wonder if the tooth loss is due to an injury, as most pigs will get enough vitamin C from their diet, particularly if they are eating a vitamin C fortified guinea pig pellet and some fresh fruit and veggies, like peppers. I think it would be way more likely to see breakage of a tooth from trauma, particularly if he seems otherwise healthy. Are the pigs eating a pellet that adds vitamin C besides the tablets? I would think that and some veg would cover them (I've only ever supplemented my pigs vitamin C when they are ill, otherwise they get enough from fresh veg and fortified pellets.)

If you do want to supplement vitamin C, it's possible to crush the tablets, mix with water, and syringe the mixture with a small medicine syringe. It's also possible to find vitamin C in liquid form, which can be mixed with water or syringed directly. This is what I do when pigs are sick and being supplemented. Hope this helps!