Supplement Vitamin C?

[Steffie]

hi all;

i am wondering if people supplement their piggies with vitamin c, that is, feed tablets that contain it, as opposed to rely on pellets and vegetables exclusively. tables seem like a controlled way to make sure a sufficient amount is being fed (i am thinking in particular to make sure their immune system is prepared for the change in weather), especially since i am guarded about feeding high vitamin c veg, given their high calcium content also. or rather than tablets, is it just a case of feeding enough variety in veg that should do the trick (pretty much like with people)?

thanks a lot, best, steph.

 

[Wiebke]

Opinions are split on that one!

Most of us feed a slice of low calcium/high vitamin C pepper daily for that purpose. The problem with high calcium veg is that they are also generally high in magnesium, which should be part of a good diet, so there is a certain balance to be struck. A totally low calcium diet should only be taken into consideration if you actually have a guinea pig with acute bladder/urinary tract problems. Most fresh herbs are high in vitamin C and calcium, but they also contain other valuable minerals, so should be fed occasionally in small quantities (like a sprig of parsley or dill).
If you just feed veg, then it is a very good idea to give a high dose of vitamin C short term to an acutely ill piggy to help boost their immune system.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...or-a-balanced-general-guinea-pig-diet.116460/

If you are thinking about supplementing vitamin C regularly, you have to take the overall vitamin C intake into consideration (includes veg AND vitamin C enriched pellets!), as overdosing can lead to long term problems like ironically scurvy if the daily high dose of vitamin C is actually lowered or stopped for some reason or thorugh illness. This is especially important with young guinea pigs, as experience in the US has shown where high vitamin C supplement doses are more common.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...vitamin-c-overview-with-product-links.115404/

To be honest, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference in overall health between supplementing or a higher vitamin C veg diet. Hopefully, we get more research in the future so we can adjust our recommendations accordingly.

 

[Steffie]

thanks wiebke! yes, i thought pepper was the answer, but it looks like only one of my two piggies eats it, only sometimes though, and only the green variety. i will just persevere and keep offering multi-coloured peppers alongside other veg. good to know that being careful and thoughtful about their diet should do though. and i will rethink and readjust and if and when there is a problem with their health.