Calcium

[beckyxxx]

Hi guys, I think I could be feeding my guinea pigs a little too much calcium high foods, as I’ve seen a few calcium deposits, here’s what I feed daily :

Unlimited alfalfa TIMOTHY HAY, (not alfalfa hay just the brand) , morning feed they get a slice of pepper normally red, and either a slice of cucumber and occasionally a handful of mixed leafy greens,
In the early afternoon they will get snacks usually a piece of cucumber , a piece of carrot (not everyday) or sometimes some celery, or a piece of gem lettuce, Then in the evening I will give them another slice of pepper and a leafy green either a piece of cabbage each or a spring green leaf.

In rotation they also get a slice of fruit a week or a tomato, a handful of parsley and occasionally kale.
Any suggestions of what it could be? I think maybe I’m feeding too many leafy greens.

Also to mention my guinea pig has been really poorly over the past few months, it’s seemed like one thing after another and he’s been on quite a few courses of anti biotics, which have now caused him to get thrush on his mouth, I think it’s called cheleitis, he’s on medication for it, and the scans are falling off and fresh skin is underneath so I think it’s getting better , but he’s not allowed acid foods anymore. I’ve picked up a Pro-C probiotic, I just want to try and get extra vitamin c in him, to help him recover and hopefully keep everything at bay! Any suggestions on how often to give it him and for how long? And how to feed it him? The lady said to sprinkle it on his food. Should I also give it to his cage mate? Even though he seems to never get poorly haha! Sorry for the long winded message! Thanks for reading guys x

 

[Gem789]

Hi guys, I think I could be feeding my guinea pigs a little too much calcium high foods, as I’ve seen a few calcium deposits, here’s what I feed daily :

Unlimited alfalfa TIMOTHY HAY, (not alfalfa hay just the brand) , morning feed they get a slice of pepper normally red, and either a slice of cucumber and occasionally a handful of mixed leafy greens,
In the early afternoon they will get snacks usually a piece of cucumber , a piece of carrot (not everyday) or sometimes some celery, or a piece of gem lettuce, Then in the evening I will give them another slice of pepper and a leafy green either a piece of cabbage each or a spring green leaf.

In rotation they also get a slice of fruit a week or a tomato, a handful of parsley and occasionally kale.
Any suggestions of what it could be? I think maybe I’m feeding too many leafy greens.

Also to mention my guinea pig has been really poorly over the past few months, it’s seemed like one thing after another and he’s been on quite a few courses of anti biotics, which have now caused him to get thrush on his mouth, I think it’s called cheleitis, he’s on medication for it, and the scans are falling off and fresh skin is underneath so I think it’s getting better , but he’s not allowed acid foods anymore. I’ve picked up a Pro-C probiotic, I just want to try and get extra vitamin c in him, to help him recover and hopefully keep everything at bay! Any suggestions on how often to give it him and for how long? And how to feed it him? The lady said to sprinkle it on his food. Should I also give it to his cage mate? Even though he seems to never get poorly haha! Sorry for the long winded message! Thanks for reading guys x

I had the same problem, I still do but it’s slughtl better after switching to grain free nuggets.Your diet sounds fine x

 

[beckyxxx]

I bought some grain free nuggets, but they will not touch them ha ha! Thankyou, any advice on the pro biotics? If you’ve ever had any experience with them , I don’t know anything about them , thanks x

 

[DM030819]

@beckyxxx Are the deposits gritty or chalky?

Pro-C is supposed to be sprinked on food but I usually add it to a little bit of water and syringe it to them. Then I know they're getting the full dose. My boys all love it and happily take it from a syringe.

You can give it to all of them, it won't harm.

You usually use it for as long as a piggy is unwell. I have a boy with digestive issues and I've used it on and off his whole life (4 years)

 

[beckyxxx]

It’s chalky not gritty at all it’s just a little bit here and there so I wanna try and change it up before it causes bladder issues, so to just give the pro biotic to both my Guinea pigs daily for a few weeks? Until my boy is better?

 

[Wiebke]

Hi guys, I think I could be feeding my guinea pigs a little too much calcium high foods, as I’ve seen a few calcium deposits, here’s what I feed daily :

Unlimited alfalfa TIMOTHY HAY, (not alfalfa hay just the brand) , morning feed they get a slice of pepper normally red, and either a slice of cucumber and occasionally a handful of mixed leafy greens,
In the early afternoon they will get snacks usually a piece of cucumber , a piece of carrot (not everyday) or sometimes some celery, or a piece of gem lettuce, Then in the evening I will give them another slice of pepper and a leafy green either a piece of cabbage each or a spring green leaf.

In rotation they also get a slice of fruit a week or a tomato, a handful of parsley and occasionally kale.
Any suggestions of what it could be? I think maybe I’m feeding too many leafy greens.

Also to mention my guinea pig has been really poorly over the past few months, it’s seemed like one thing after another and he’s been on quite a few courses of anti biotics, which have now caused him to get thrush on his mouth, I think it’s called cheleitis, he’s on medication for it, and the scans are falling off and fresh skin is underneath so I think it’s getting better , but he’s not allowed acid foods anymore. I’ve picked up a Pro-C probiotic, I just want to try and get extra vitamin c in him, to help him recover and hopefully keep everything at bay! Any suggestions on how often to give it him and for how long? And how to feed it him? The lady said to sprinkle it on his food. Should I also give it to his cage mate? Even though he seems to never get poorly haha! Sorry for the long winded message! Thanks for reading guys x

Hi! Please cut down on the cabbage; it is higher in calcium content. You might consider feeding coriander instead. A 1 inch spring green leaf is safe to feed on a daily basis, or every 2-3 days (I prefer to switch around between coriander and spring greens at it works out better with my piggy numbers, with the odd other herb or the occasional kale, broccoli or cabbage for interest as a supplement).

Please check the probiotic for its calcium content. To my knowledge (but I haven't checked for a few years), avipro plus is the only one without added calcium.

 

[beckyxxx]

Thanks