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Vitamin C

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Amanda1801

Amanda1801

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Hey :)

Just wondering if anyone gives vit C supplements to their pigs?

If so, how much do you give, and what do you use?

I'm wanting to increase Big Dave's vit C as there's something not right with him & I don't know what as yet.

At the moment I'm giving him a crushed vit C tablet (200mg) mixed with critical care, that he's eating from a bowl. Tonight he's had his critical care mixed with some pureed apple (cos he's spoilt!) and he's loving it! Boxy is of course sharing, but he could use a bit of weight gain, and some extra vit C won't hurt him, but I can't be sure how much they're actually getting. They don't eat the whole lot of critical care (although it's looking like they might tonight with the apple in it!) so they aren't getting 100mg each or anything, but I'm fairly confident they're getting their 25mg/kg in addition to their normal veg & pellets.

How much additional vit C should a sick pig have? As yet, I don't want to battle with him and syringe feed him, as it may well be a heart issue & I don't want to stress him out unnecessarily. Is there any other way I can get some into him, and know how much he's getting?

Thanks in advance!
 
I give my pigs lots of fresh veg that is high in vitamin c:

peppers, brocoli, cabbage, celery, spinach, basil, carrots, radish, and on top of those their dry nuggets say on the packet that they have lots of vitamins including vitamin C in there.

I did buy the vit c powder to put in their water but it was a big mistake so dont buy it! They dont like the taste of it so end up not drinking :( I dont take vitamin tablets as a human, we cant make vitamin c by ourselves either - so I just take extra care to eat, and feed the pigs a good amount of foods high in C :) xx
 
I make sure that there is plenty of vitamin C in their daily veg (see list above; mine get a choice of at least 2 high vitamin C veg a day). There is also vitamin C in the pellets.

However, I supplement when a piggy is ill on a piggy vet's recommendations; but I use 1/8 of a normal supermarket tablet, dissolved in 1ml of water and syringe that, so all goes in with the greatest benefit.
 
Wiebke said:
I make sure that there is plenty of vitamin C in their daily veg (see list above; mine get a choice of at least 2 high vitamin C veg a day). There is also vitamin C in the pellets.

However, I supplement when a piggy is ill on a piggy vet's recommendations; but I use 1/8 of a normal supermarket tablet, dissolved in 1ml of water and syringe that, so all goes in with the greatest benefit.
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I looked at those soluble ones, I couldn't find any without sweeteners in them though I didn't fancy giving sweeteners to them, wouldn't they be harmful? :(
 
Poppy'sMum said:
I looked at those soluble ones, I couldn't find any without sweeteners in them though I didn't fancy giving sweeteners to them, wouldn't they be harmful? :(
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Only if you gave them on a regular/daily basis, which I don't. If I had a piggy with a chronic health problem, I would go for Oxbow tablets.
 
I try to ensure that our two get plenty of vitamin C-rich fresh food. Carrot tops for example are great. They also bhave vitamin C-rich pellets but these are less reliable because vitamin C degrades very quickly in pellets and water.

I'm of the general opinion that supplements in water etc. should be reserved for sickly pigs or recovering pigs. I wouldn't want to have it as part of their normal diet if there's nothing wrong with them :)

P.S. Flinstones: Hope Milo and Patrick feel better soon :)
 
I get mine from the hay experts. I crush it and spread it on a slice of cucumber. I notice my girls do not sneeze as much since I have been giving it to them. I would really recommend it.
 
piggyfan said:
I get mine from the hay experts. I crush it and spread it on a slice of cucumber. I notice my girls do not sneeze as much since I have been giving it to them. I would really recommend it.
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It looks like they are awaiting stock right now everyone must be buying them lol :)
 
Oxbow are expensive for everything - you get 90 in a bottle I only give them to my sick pigs or light pigs to keep there immune system up.
 
Yes I think this would be a boost for them if poorly, or maybe a quarter tablet once a day or something, mine used to get plenty of fresh veggies every day & supplemented dry food anyway :)
 
mikulinek said:
I try to ensure that our two get plenty of vitamin C-rich fresh food. Carrot tops for example are great. They also bhave vitamin C-rich pellets but these are less reliable because vitamin C degrades very quickly in pellets and water.

I'm of the general opinion that supplements in water etc. should be reserved for sickly pigs or recovering pigs. I wouldn't want to have it as part of their normal diet if there's nothing wrong with them :)

P.S. Flinstones: Hope Milo and Patrick feel better soon :)
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All mine have two kinds (at least) of high vit C veg a day, normally one in the morning, one in the evening.

Big Dave seems to be doing well on the extra vit C, he's more like his old self, eating better and gaining weight. It's not doing Boxy any harm by having some additional vit C either. He's very light weight so he's also enjoying the critical care!

I'm using a vit C tablet that I've got from work, I think it's like the oxbow stuff, it's just vit C and some bulking agents, no sweetners, colours or anything.
 
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