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Vitamin C Deficiency and Scurvy in Guinea Pigs

Providing your guinea pigs with a well-balanced diet that meets all their nutritional needs is crucial. One of the essential nutrients that guinea pigs require is vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid. In this article, we are going to cover:

Why Do Guinea Pigs Need Vitamin C Daily?

Unlike humans and some other animals, guinea pigs cannot produce an enzyme necessary for making vitamin C in their bodies. Therefore, they must obtain this essential vitamin from their food to prevent diseases such as scurvy.

Furthermore, guinea pigs cannot store vitamin C in their bodies, and any excess is excreted through urine. So giving an adequate amount of this crucial vitamin in their daily diet is essential.

Why is Vitamin C Important for a Guinea Pig’s Health?

Vitamin C is vital in various aspects of your guinea pig’s health. It is essential for forming bones and connective tissues, promoting the growth of strong bones, healthy joints, and well-positioned teeth.

Additionally, vitamin C contributes to the strength of blood vessels by forming healthy connective tissue. Moreover, it is involved in producing various hormones and supports an efficient immune system.

What are the Main Causes of Vitamin C Deficiency in Guinea Pigs?

Guinea pigs may develop a vitamin C deficiency if they do not receive enough of this essential nutrient in their daily diet. To prevent such a deficiency, providing guinea pigs with a proper diet that includes daily servings of fresh vegetables and/or safe weeds and plants is crucial. This food is particularly rich in vitamin C and is vital in ensuring guinea pigs receive sufficient amounts of this nutrient.

Pregnant, suckling, and growing guinea pigs, typically need a higher daily dose of vitamin C.

What are the Symptoms of Scurvy or Vitamin C Deficiency in Guinea Pigs?

Mild vitamin C deficiency may only cause subtle and unspecific symptoms. Guinea pigs may appear less energetic, have a shorter lifespan, and experience slower growth. Pregnant guinea pigs might also have a slightly increased risk of miscarriages, pregnancy toxaemia, and stillborn or weak offspring.

In more severe cases of vitamin C deficiency, scurvy can develop. Scurvy can have severe consequences for guinea pigs, leading to stunted growth in young guinea pigs, sometimes permanently. Joint swellings, particularly in the hocks and knees, may occur due to joint bleeding. The weakening of connective tissue in blood vessels can result in intestinal and mucous membrane bleeding.

Affected guinea pigs may develop a stiff hip, making it difficult to move their hind legs separately. Instead, they hop around with both hind legs simultaneously, resembling a rabbit. In some cases, guinea pigs may even experience hind leg paralysis. The affected guinea pig may become hunched and thin, and breeding attempts may fail. Various reproductive problems, such as infertility, resorptions, miscarriages, uterine bleeding or infections, and stillborn and weak babies, can occur.

Guinea pigs with scurvy become highly susceptible to infections, and even harmless germs can have fatal consequences.

How Much Vitamin C Does a Guinea Pig Need Daily?

Most guinea pigs need between 10g to 30g of vitamin C daily, but they may require up to 100g if deficient. However, you must consult your vet first and follow their recommended dosage if a supplement is necessary.

Do Guinea Pigs Need Vitamin C Supplements Daily?

Guinea pigs should not need vitamin C supplements unless they have a deficiency. If fed a proper diet, they will get plenty of vitamin C in their food.

What is the Treatment for Scurvy in Guinea Pigs?

If vitamin C deficiency is diagnosed, immediate correction is necessary, usually by adding a supplement to the guinea pig’s food. Guinea pig pellets with added vitamin C are suitable for ensuring adequate intake. are excellent quality pellet food and are nutritionally balanced for your guinea pig’s health.

Additionally, vegetables with a high vitamin C content should be included in their diet. Foraging for safe weeds and plants is even better, as the freshness ensures a higher retention of vitamins. Chickweed, ground elder (pick before flowers occur), and dandelion leaves are good sources of vitamin C that our guinea pigs enjoy.

How to Give Guinea Pigs Vitamin C Supplements

In cases of scurvy, extra vitamin C supplementation must be provided for at least ten days or until the signs of deficiency, such as bleeding, hind leg paralysis, or hopping, resolve. Human ascorbic acid tablets can be used as a supplement for guinea pigs.

The recommended dosage for your guinea pig is 100 mg per kilogram of body weight. You can crush and dissolve a tablet in a small quantity of water to administer it. Using a syringe, you can then give it to your guinea pig. Additionally, there are liquid vitamin C supplements available that can also be given through a syringe.

While vitamin C can be supplemented in water, it is unreliable as it degrades when exposed to air and light.

Most guinea pigs will recover completely with proper treatment, although some may sadly suffer permanent damage.

How to Prevent Scurvy or Vitamin C Deficiency in Guinea Pigs

Your guinea pigs must be fed a well-rounded diet to prevent vitamin C deficiency and scurvy. Dry food specifically formulated for guinea pigs should be given daily, as this is supplemented with vitamin C.

When fresh greens are scarce in winter, selecting vegetables with a high vitamin C content is essential. In the summer, guinea pigs should have access to plenty of grass and other outdoor greens. Foraging for freshly picked foods naturally rich in Vitamin C is an excellent idea.

IMPORTANT: While fresh veg and dry food are essential, feeding hay should be the primary source of your guinea pig’s daily diet.

It’s important to know that the vitamin C in pellet food will deplete over time, especially when exposed to light and air. Therefore, storing it in an airtight container, dark drawer, or cupboard is recommended.

Vegetables also start to lose their vitamin C content when they are picked. This is why fresh vegetables are so much better for them. Growing veggies and herbs and foraging for fresh, safe weeds ensure you provide them with the highest quality food.

What Vegetables Are High in Vitamin C?

Some of the best vegetables and herbs for vitamin C are:

Conclusion

Providing guinea pigs with an adequate daily supply of vitamin C from their daily food is essential for their overall health and well-being. Vitamin C is crucial in bone and connective tissue formation and supports a robust immune system. Failure to meet their vitamin C requirements can lead to severe consequences such as scurvy, affecting their growth, mobility, and reproductive health.

By understanding the importance of vitamin C and taking appropriate measures to ensure an adequate intake in your guinea pig’s daily diet, you can help your guinea pigs live long, happy, and healthy lives.