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Scurvy / Vitamin C deficiency

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sophiew (EAGPR)

sophiew (EAGPR)

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The new pigs that came in this week (see http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=26736) are all underweight and have varying degrees of hairloss, which is being treated with Ivomec. They have had a very poor diet in their short lives so far, and two of them are very wobbly on their back legs. I'm wondering if it's lack of vit C (we don't think they have had fresh fruit / veg or hay). Obviously they are now getting a good diet, but I was wondering about supplementing their Vit C intake - any ideas?

The two that are wobbly on their back legs don't have any visible damage and the bones seem ok, they just don't walk well - they can move around but they kind of bunny hop at the back

Sophie
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I think it may be a vit C defientecy if they have never had fresh veg/fruit and no HAY! :O:O I heard putting the drops in their water makes it a little bitter and to put it on their food instead (just something a woman told me but get another opinion ofc)
 
Vit C drops you get dont do any good in water - as soon as hit light it basically disappears, it not worth the money

There are Vit C Tablets which you get get from your Vet, they arent expensive at all - just need to break up and put on a bit of cucumber - i wrapped the tablets in lettuce or spring greens and put it in my piggies mouth, you know they have eaten it then.

This is probably the best way for the pigs which such a severe problem.

Really dont bother with the water drops.
 
I've had several this year in with scurvy .... hopping and hair loss are classic signs.

I'm sure you're going easy on the veg to begin with to avoid upsetting any little tummies new to a proper diet.

When I take in any rescue pigs (especially the ones with scurvy) I always give them a 7 day course of Metatone 0.7 of a ml daily . It's easily available from any chemist and really gives them a boost. It's a good appetite stimulant too.

To get as much Vit C into them as possible I also use Amla and Acerola Extract. It's got an amazing amount of Vit C in and is easy and economical to use specially if you have alot of pigs. I usually give them 1ml per day for a week or maybe two depending on how they are. You can also use Rosehip syrup which again has high Vit C content.

At times of stress Vit C stores are depleted so it's really important that they have it straight away rather than building up with just veg.

Drops are a waste of time/money and Vit C tablets aren't always welcomed by a piggie.

This is where I get my Vit C from and it's lasted me for months.

http://www.galensgarden.co.uk/shop/products.php?cat=8

Hope your piggies respond to all the care they are now getting xx
 
Thank you very much for such a comprehensive reply! I'll go and have a look at that link.

I am introducing new stuff gradually so as not to upset their little tummies, they seem to be coping ok at the moment - I'll let you know how we get on!

Sophie
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Thanks, have just been and ordered some and topped up on dried herbs at the same time.. have had stuff from there before, and was very impressed

Sophie
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You can use vitaminc c tablets that you give to humans - the chewable ones, half a tablet for a week. My piggie has them towards the end of her life and she would take them from me and eat them herself. The fur loss could be stress, moving to a new home or being in poor conditions before.
 
Thanks - they have been in awful conditions with no food or water, so not surprising they've not got much hair! Hopefully we'll see an improvement now they're getting good food etc. and extra Vit C

Sophie
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When Joey was unwell, I tracked down Vit C liquid at Holland and Barrett. Prior to finding that in a bottle all I could find was Vit C tablets to put in his water and because he wasn't drinking or moving around, I knew that was pointless.

I syringed him the Vit C liquid and he seemed to like it.
 
hi i had some young pregnants come in and they were loosing use of hind legs due to calcium deficiency and the babies taking all the magnese and calcium from the mums.i fed them parsley and it did help.best of luck
 
Thanks - yes it could be calcium deficiency too, they were pretty much deficient of everything - well, food! They had even started to eat their dead cage mate ... 8...

All ok this morning and quite chirpy, will try parsley too. They had Kiwi last night, not sure what they made of that!

Sophie
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