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Vitamin C Tablets

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bambi

bambi

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I am hoping this is the right section for this. I am in Oz land and for many years have been using a vitamin C powder. Which I would add a pinch to the water bottle every day.
My vet is now saying I should use tablets. What tablets are safe for piggies and how much should I use? I was thinking if I use tablets I would grind them up and continue using a pinch to the drinking water.
My vet did not suggest which ones to use. My little girl is 880grams as she has been sick and is now recovering. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you. xx>>>
 
I don't believe there is any difference between using powder and tablets, other than that you can give the tablet more easily directly to the sick pig (less hassle) so you give them an accurate dose.

I wouldn't recommend continuing to add Vitamin C to the water though, it degrades in light and the guins should only have plain, fresh water to drink. Supplementing with Vitamin C should generally only be necessary if they don't eat an adequate fresh fruit and veg diet, and/or if they are unwell.
 
Thank you Laura for your reply to my post. I was told to supplement vitamin C as guinea pigs can not make their own and vitamin C is very important to piggies and it helps prevent many diseases.
If I do NOT add to water how to I get some into my girl and how much? Yes my girl has been sick she had surgery a few weeks ago and she lost over 100grams in weight.
Again many thanks for your helpful reply. :)p
 
That is one way - tablets generally produce less waste and need no preparation but it doesn't mean powder is no use.

Dose for a sick pig tends to be a minimum of 50mg. I suspect you may just be able to take a pinch of the powder and mix it with around 1-1.5ml water to syringe directly into your poorly girl.

You are right that guineas don't make their own vitamin C, so they get all the C they need from their fresh veg. Some foods high in C include parsley and bell (sweet) peppers - one relatively small slice is usually enough to provide the full daily amount required, especially of red pepper. A nice variety of fresh foods is best though. There's some further info here:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=37030
 
Guinea pigs are like human beings in that neither species can synthesise Vitamin C.
I advise using the powder, far less wasteful and less messy than crushing a tablet.
 
Thank you to all who have replied. I bought some Herron Vitamin C tablets for kids and crushed them into a powder. I then put some into water and syringe feed my baby.
I will continue to do this till my baby is better and starts to improve in the weight department. Again many thanks. :)p
 
Children? Depends.

It should be more "Does everyone need supplements?"
Basically, no.

But, thats only if theyre not getting enough nutrients and such that a balanced diet gives them.

And, theres nothing wrong with vitamin supplements, if youre not getting enough of the vitamins...

Oh and- Pfffft breakfast.
 
My Baby is nearly over her UTI, the antibiotics she has been on seem to be working. Once I am sure she is over this I will cease using the vitamin C tablets. It has been four weeks now and she goes off the antibiotics today. So will see how she goes. Thanks to all who replied. :)p
 
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