Vitamin c supplements

[Josie_lg]

Hey guys does it hurt to supplement with an oral vitamin c, eg from pets at home. My pigs do not get pellets due to health reasons and I’m very worried they’re going to lack vitamin c etc. I feed a balanced veggie diet and very good quality hay. One of my piggies has a slight limp/hopping a bit but I saw her try to jump onto the house and fall so assume it’s from this. I’ve read bunny hopping can indicate scurvy or calcium deficiency so I’m of course worrying now haha. X

 

[Piggies&buns]

It depends on what level of Vit c they are already getting. All veg has vit c in (some more than others), along with grass and there is also a small amount in hay.

Excess vit c is excreted out in their urine.
Long term overdosing of vit c can cause them to experience scurvy as their bodies get used to abnormally high amounts and then if the levels drop from what they have become used to (even if the level is still normal for any other piggy) scurvy symptoms can occur.

it would be best to consult with the vet about the hopping before introducing any supplements

 

[Josie_lg]

Thank you. I’ve noticed it’s her right hind leg that she’s just not using properly. She’s had a dose of metacam this evening to help, I assume hopping from a deficiency would be all the time and not intermittently?

 

[Swissgreys]

The only way to diagnose the cause of the limp and appropriate treatment would be to see a vet.
I would not experiment with self prescribed or home remedies until she has been properly examined.
Guinea pigs can sprain a limb, so keep a close eye on her, but if it doesn't resolve in 24 hours or continues intermittently then it's really best to take her for a check up.

 

[Siikibam]

Do get her seen before you start administering any meds. Hope it’s nothing major

 

[Josie_lg]

Yes of course I will! I’m sorry I just realised I failed to mention I work in a vets hospital and have access to contact a vet so I will phone or text one of my exotic vet friends from work before I do anything. I’m so sorry for confusing anyone haha I would never self diagnose lol. I’m too much of a worrier x

 

[Wiebke]

Hopping on one leg is usually an indication of a sprain and not a symptom of scurvy, which is very rare in guinea pigs on a good hay/grass based diet with a modicum of guinea pig pellets (not rabbit ones) and green veg/herbs - all foods contain some vitamin C.
Scurvy is most commonly the result of guinea pigs being fed an unsuitable diet (most commonly from being fed rabbit pellets/dry mix and no hay/grass).

Please see a vet.

 

[Josie_lg]

Hopping on one leg is usually an indication of a sprain and not a symptom of scurvy, which is very rare in guinea pigs on a good hay/grass based diet with a modicum of guinea pig pellets (not rabbit ones) and green veg/herbs - all foods contain some vitamin C.
Scurvy is most commonly the result of guinea pigs being fed an unsuitable diet (most commonly from being fed rabbit pellets/dry mix and no hay/grass).

Please see a vet.

Thank you, as always your answers are so informative She will be seeing a vet I’m very lucky to be able to take her into work when and if I need to. My guinea pigs do not have pellets due to the bladder problems that occur with poppy. They have plenty of veggies in the morning, 2-3 stations of fresh green Timothy hay from HayBox, and I always try and give a dried herb blend when I can with dandelion, blackcurrent, plantain etc to mix things up. And of course normally grass but it’s not currently not the right weather for that. Is it worthwhile giving a supplement along side it due to them not getting pellets because of Poppy’s health issues. Is it going to cause them issues them going without the pellets ? They’ve been off them for maybe five months now ? X

 

[Wiebke]

Thank you, as always your answers are so informative She will be seeing a vet I’m very lucky to be able to take her into work when and if I need to. My guinea pigs do not have pellets due to the bladder problems that occur with poppy. They have plenty of veggies in the morning, 2-3 stations of fresh green Timothy hay from HayBox, and I always try and give a dried herb blend when I can with dandelion, blackcurrent, plantain etc to mix things up. And of course normally grass but it’s not currently not the right weather for that. Is it worthwhile giving a supplement along side it due to them not getting pellets because of Poppy’s health issues. Is it going to cause them issues them going without the pellets ? They’ve been off them for maybe five months now ? X

Not if you are feeding veg and herbs. Veg and pellets together basically replace the supplementary role of wild forage in addition to the fresh and dry grass/hay diet that guinea pigs have evolved on. Pellets are the one item on the diet that can be replaced with forage/dry forage; we only recommend 1 tablespoon per piggy per day anyway.

Please do not overdo the amount of veg. It is more quality/balance than the amount that is important.

 

[Josie_lg]

Not if you are feeding veg and herbs. Veg and pellets together basically replace the supplementary role of wild forage in addition to the fresh and dry grass/hay diet that guinea pigs have evolved on. Pellets are the one item on the diet that can be replaced with forage/dry forage; we only recommend 1 tablespoon per piggy per day anyway.

Please do not overdo the amount of veg. It is more quality/balance than the amount that is important.

Thank you. That’s a relief to know they can do fine without long term. And no no I do not feed too many veggies, when I say plenty I mean a plenty variety