Guinea pigs require vitamin C in their diets to maintain their health, just like humans do. Like humans, guinea pigs cannot produce vitamin C independently and must obtain it from their diet.
A deficiency of vitamin C in guinea pigs can lead to a condition known as scurvy, which can cause a range of symptoms, including lethargy, poor appetite, weight loss, joint pain, swollen and bleeding gums, and hair loss. If left untreated, scurvy can be fatal.
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is required for healthy skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels. It is also important in wound healing as well as the repair and maintenance of bones and teeth. Vitamin C also has antioxidant activity.
The signs and symptoms displayed vary depending on the vitamin C deficiency level. Complete vitamin C deficiency generally leads to a more rapidly progressing form of the disease with acutely painful joints and teeth, generalised immobility, and anorexia (not eating).
Moderate vitamin C deficiency generally leads to a chronic form of the disease with clinical signs including:
Young growing, pregnant, elderly, and/or sick guinea pigs are at a higher risk of vitamin C deficiency.
The diagnosis of hypovitaminosis C is generally based on the history, analysis of diet, clinical signs, radiographs and blood tests.
The treatment for this condition will be determined on the diagnostic results and deficiency level. Treatment options can include:
Most guinea pigs require a daily vitamin C requirement of around 10-50mg/kg.
To prevent vitamin C deficiency in guinea pigs, it’s important to provide them with a diet that is rich in this nutrient. A good quality guinea pig food pellet should contain at least 10-30 mg of vitamin C per day, and fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamin C, such as red or green capsicum, kale, broccoli, parsley and spinach, should be provided daily.
It’s important to note that vitamin C is easily destroyed by heat, light, and oxygen, so it’s essential to store guinea pig food in a cool, dark place and to offer fresh fruits and vegetables that have not been sitting out for long periods.
In addition, guinea pigs that are stressed, unwell, or pregnant may require additional vitamin C supplementation, so it’s important to consult with your local Unusual Pet Vets team if you have any concerns about your guinea pig’s health.
Very nice and informative service. Lovely vet practice, will definitely recommend to others.
Wonderful and knowledgable vet. Took time to thoroughly check over my rabbit and answer all the questions I had. Would recommend to other rabbit owners.
Highly recommend, caring and compassionate no matter how small your pet. Thank you to the unusual pet vets for treating our very sick little mouse Moon, she came back to full health and is now enjoying life in a new home with new cage mates.
Cannot speak highly enough of the caring and lovely staff at UPV Osborne Park. Particularly to Dr Kelly for the wonderful treatment and compassion she displayed caring for my much loved
Bugz. Definitely recommend this practice. Simply the Best.
It’s a great vet for exotic pets, we would like to thank Dr Kiara and the nurses for all the help they have done for the bunnies especially when they have been unwell.
Gretel – Thankyou for all the tips and advice on what and what not to do with the bunnies.
We will definitely be recommending to all our exotic animal friends.
Fantastic vets! Staff are so helpful and friendly. Vet’s are brilliant, they show so much love and compassion to our animals. 5 stars all the way!!
I just want to say a huge THANK YOU to the gang at Murdoch who helped my family and stimmy Cindy. It was a very stressful time and they assisted us with ease! Pricing was also more than reasonable which we were very grateful for. Thank you guys again, my noodle is now on the mend all to you guys.
Excellent service, caring and professional advice, and very good handling for our pet bird, on our first visit today at The Unusual Pet Vets, Jindalee. Very helpful, and they also provided further reading for us via email after our appointment regarding a few things we asked about. All staff were lovely and friendly – from the initial phone booking (you can do internet bookings too) to and including the consult. Thank you very much – we’ll definitely be back! Highly recommend.
Received the best service from Dr Sasha at the Sunshine Coast clinic. She taught me so much in such a kind manner and was very gentle to my Guinea pig. She then followed up by emailing further information on Guinea pig general care. Highly recommend!
Amazing and caring staff at the Ferntree Gully Clinic. Our baby rat was not well, and they always made time to help and support her. Very knowledgeable and compassionate. Would highly recommend and absolutely will use again. Thank you to everyone at Ferntree Gully for being there for us and Tabby.
