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Scurvy. vitamin C. Certain biologic oxidation and reduction systems depend on Vitamin c for functioning Without it, bone and blood vessel abnormalities develop, and enlarged adrenal glands, bleeding in the limb joints, rib muscles and intestines result.
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vitamin C • Certain biologic oxidation and reduction systems depend on Vitamin c for functioning • Without it, bone and blood vessel abnormalities develop, and enlarged adrenal glands, bleeding in the limb joints, rib muscles and intestines result. • Young animals are more likely to exhibit bone deformities than older ones
How much Vitamin C is needed? • guinea pigs cannot produce their own vitamin C, so it must be supplied in the food they eat • The average guinea pig needs between 10 and 30 mg/kg daily for good health. • Young, pregnant, and ill pigs need more vitamin C than the average
signs of a deficiency • Lethargy, weakness • unwillingness to move • Hopping instead of walking • enlarged or stiff limb joints • Not eating, loss of weight • Diarrhea
signs of a deficiency (cont.) • Tenderness to touch (may cry out in pain if restrained), • poor flesh condition • Internal skeletal-muscular hemorrhage • Eye and nose discharge • Rough coat
Recovery/treatment • Recovery from deficiency usually requires a week of treatment: • Give 50mg/kg once a day or • Give 25mg/kg twice a day
Prevention • Fresh pellets formulated for guinea pigs and fresh fruits, vegetables, and grasses will be your best source for C • Since the vitamin C content of the foods we provide is constantly degrading, supply a generous amount of vegetables and grasses rich in ascorbic acid.
Storage • Ascorbic acid content is affected by temperature, humidity, exposure to light and method of storage • In six weeks as much as half of the vitamin C available to a guinea pig provided by pellets can dissipate • Standard pellets should be stored at less than 22 degrees C and used within 90 days of production.