Vitamin C Tablets?

[HannahEllen]

I had a recent visit to the vet and she informed me that my guinea pigs should be given a vitamin c supplement daily. Keep in mind they are normal healthy pigs (not nursing, pregnant, young, ill, or old). I was always under the impression that as long as you feed fresh veggies/fruit daily (which I do) and vitamin c enriched pellets (also do) that a vitamin c supplement wasn't necessary. What are your thoughts on this?

 

[Little Pig]

I don't think it hurts to give them a vit c supplement as well as their veg - I don't think too much vit c does any damage to a pig (?), but too little can. I think the vit c in pellets also can wear off, do I wouldn't necessarily depend on that (again ?).

 

[BellasMummy]

I think as long as they are getting enough vit.c from veg then they shouldn't need a supplement. Mine have never had a supplement but if you want to give one then why not.

 

[Lizzie]

you can't overdose on vit.c if that's what you're worried about, but no, there's no reason why your pigs shouldn't be getting enough providing they're having fresh veg daily.

 

[Amysguineapigs]

A vet told me that as well But only because my guinea's have had a cold for the 2nd time. But i would still syringe them some vitamins even if they didn't have a cold, because they absolutely love it! They won't let go off the syringe! Haha! So occasionally it won't hurt

 

[PiggyLove]

This is a good question...........has anyone read the ingredients in the Vit C for humans...........I'm not sure if its good or not :{ could it have stuff in it bad for piggies bladders and kidneys ?

I would give extra veggies but then again who am i to go against what a vet says :x

Parsley, kale, green capsicum pepper, kiwi fruit all contain high Vit C

Kiwi's have more Vit C than oranges

its a dilema mallethead

I would be nervous to give them vit C in tablet form for humans unless they had a cold and desparately needed it but for daily use I wouldnt give mine

its a very good question though and very interesting to research

 

[TwoPiggies]

I have just been to a new vet surgery today with my piggie Sam. Changed to Edinburgh University's Dick Vet which is the best vets in Edinburgh and animals all over Scotland are referred here when their own vets are unable to diagnose or help anymore.

Sam is not ill and just went for a general check up.

She said that I should be giving them additional vitamin C every day. I explained I had been told by previous vets only to give a supplement if the pigs are ill. However she did explain that the vitamin C in nuggets is depleted in around 1 month therefore not really beneficial after that. I explained they get veggies every day but she said still they should have a supplement. She said just to purchase human vitamin C tablets and you dissolve a quarter of a tablet in 320ml of water and change daily. Or if the pigs then refuse to drink the water you can syringe them 0.02ml (i think) of that solution. I may need to double check this. However, I went to the shops after to buy the vitamin C but I don't want to give them human ones because of the sugar that is in them... so I am going to purchase guinea pig vitamin C tablets.

As it can't do any harm having extra and due to the reputation of the cavy savvy vet I think I will do this

 

[Wiebke]

I would strongly warn against adding vitamin C to the water - you can't control the intake, the vitamin C will go off quickly and promote the growth of algae. In my own experience many piggies don't like the taste of the water being altered and will drink less.

If you think that vitamin C is necessary, then please syinge it directly for the best benefit.

I take care to always include at least one high vitamin C veg per day and only sryinge vitamin C to ill or ailing piggie. I am not sure how the regular use of artificial sweeteners is impacting on piggies.

http://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/diet_order-c.html

 

[PiggyLove]

Also human Vit C can contain artificial sweeteners too :x maize starch, sodium bicarbonate, sucrose, glucose syrup to name few other things I'm concerned about giving my pigs :x

not good :x

I agree with Wiebke xxxxxxxxxxx

 

[TwoPiggies]

I would strongly warn against adding vitamin C to the water - you can't control the intake, the vitamin C will go off quickly and promote the growth of algae. In my own experience many piggies don't like the taste of the water being altered and will drink less.

If you think that vitamin C is necessary, then please syinge it directly for the best benefit.

I take care to always include at least one high vitamin C veg per day and only sryinge vitamin C to ill or ailing piggie. I am not sure how the regular use of artificial sweeteners is impacting on piggies.

http://www.guinealynx.info/diet.html
http://www.guinealynx.info/diet_order-c.html

I knew about this when I went to the vets....since joining this forum I think I have read everything on guinealynx

The vet said as long as it is diluted appropriately and changed every day you can be sure they are receiving some vit C. She said if they don't like the taste then to syringe it. I always make sure they have veg high in vit C too

 

[TwoPiggies]

Also human Vit C can contain artificial sweeteners too :x maize starch, sodium bicarbonate, sucrose, glucose syrup to name few other things I'm concerned about giving my pigs :x

not good :x

I agree with Wiebke xxxxxxxxxxx

Ye I saw the ingredients when I was in the supermarket which is why I decided against buying them and why I am going to purchase ones specifically for piggies Not keen on my pigs getting all that rubbish into their tiny wee bodies x

 

[PiggyLove]

These are some bad ingrediants in Redoxon, Boots own brand and Haliborange Vit C which I wouldnt wanna give my pigs - in case it causes probs with their bladders, kidneys - obesity, diabetes etc etc

Artificial sweeteners,
maize starch,
sodium bicarbonate,
sucrose,
glucose syrup,
Bulking agent (Isomalt),
Flavour enhancers (Malic acid,
Sodium chloride),
Zinc citrate,
Sodium hydrogen carbonate,
Silica,
Anti-caking Agent (Magnesium Stearate),
Hydroxy Propyl Methyl Cellulose,
Pectin
Sodium Ascorbate,
Ascorbic Acid

Not very good to give piggies in my opinion :x :x :x :x :x

 

[TwoPiggies]

Wow....The ones I looked at didn't have that much in them but did have a lot.

Maybe will call the vets and ask about all the additives x

 

[PiggyLove]

Wow....The ones I looked at didn't have that much in them but did have a lot.

Maybe will call the vets and ask about all the additives x

Hope you dont mind me saying all this :x Ive read the labels and it put me off even having it for myself ?/

I agree with Wiebke's comments tho.

best wishes xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>

 

[TwoPiggies]

Hope you dont mind me saying all this :x Ive read the labels and it put me off even having it for myself ?/

I agree with Wiebke's comments tho.

best wishes xx>>>xx>>>xx>>>

No not at all. I should have really asked the vet when I was there about the additives but I didn't think at the time. There was 4 vet students in asking me all sorts of questions....think I was as nervous as the poor vet student doing the examination!

 

[pelicano]

Even if you did put it in the water and the piggy liked it, all piggies drink different amounts and therefore would receive different doses.

I've used the Oxbow tablets before, but mostly I just rely on diet. If you did want to use a supplement, you can get a pure ascorbic acid powder from Holland and Barrett (assuming they still sell it) or other chemists, which is free from other additives. It doesn't taste great, but it can be syringed or sprinkled on food. It's hard to get the dosage right with it though, as a tiny amount is needed.