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Vitamin C Deficiency in Guinea Pigs
(Scurvy)
By Dr. Kelly Brodnik
Like humans, guinea pigs do not manufactur their own vitamin C
and it must be provided by outside food sources. A deficiency
in vitamin C in the diet can lead to a multitude of problems and
even death. One of the most prevalent problems in providing vitamin
C in the diet is that vitamin C is destroyed over time by exposure
to light, heat and dampness. Today, most specially-formulated
diets for guinea pigs (usually in pelleted form) contain adequate
doses of vitamin C-but over about 6 weeks of time from manufactur
alot of the vitamin C is lost from the pellets from exposure to
the above elements. So, even if your guinea pig is being fed a
diet that is labeled and manufactured properly, the vitamin C
content may be next to nothing at time of purchase or feeding.
Clinical signs of hypovitamin C (not enough vitamin C in the diet)
are:
Anorexia
Swollen, painful joints
Lameness
Reluctance to move
poor bone/teeth development (see Disease Library on Overgrown
Teeth/Malocclusion)
Eye problems
Poor haircoat (rough)
Respiratory problems or infections
Diarrhea (soft/malodorous feces)
Urinary stone formation
Mouth sores
Death
Signs of scurvy (vitamin C deficiency) can develop within 10-15
days of being on a diet totally lacking in proper doses of vitamin
C. Also, concurrent infections, stress, and age (very young/very
old) can complicate signs of scurvy and worsen the condition.
If you suspect vitamin C deficiency in your guinea pig, please
see your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment. Treatment usually
consists of treating the secondary problems (ie: diarrhea, fractures,
lameness, etc) and injections or supplements of a normal than
higher dose of vitamin C to help to reverse the clinical signs
of this deficiency.
You can help prevent this disease by providing sources (in addition
to pellets supplemented with vitamin C) of vitamin C to your pet
in the form of kale, dandelions, lettuce, clover, cabbage or 1/4
of a fresh orange daily. These items must be changed and supplied
fresh daily as the vitamin C content will diminish daily just
due to exposure to light, etc. It is also a good idea to supply
your guinea pig with branches and twigs to
prevent overgrowth of the continuously growing incisors (teeth)
and malocclusion problems (see Disease Library under Overgrown
Teeth/Malocclusion).
