Vitimin C in Diabetics?

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I am in a really confusing situation at the moment, since my pig was diagnosed with Diabetes (type 2 - insulin dependant). I have been controlling her diet. I'm just worried however that she is not getting enough vitimin C since the common foods with it in such as Carrot are very high in sugar.

She is fed Supa Excel Guinea, that says it has vitimin C in but I'm not sure if thats enough. Right now she has Romaine Lettuce, Corriander, and a tiny tiny slither of green pepper (sometimes red) and then something for variety like baby tomatoe skins or greens.

Does anyone with a diabetic pig know whether once insulin is working whether they can do back to having a bit more sugar in their diet? How much should I restrict sugar? Also is Supa Excel enough vitimin C is she is lacking at all or does it simply compliment the basic Guinea Pig fresh veg diet?

My concerns started when I noticed she had dandruff dry skin around her ears and someone said vitimin C definancy could cause this...(we have ruled out mange mites/fungal infections - by cavy vet).

[Ly&Pigs]

I am in a really confusing situation at the moment, since my pig was diagnosed with Diabetes (type 2 - insulin dependant). I have been controlling her diet. I'm just worried however that she is not getting enough vitimin C since the common foods with it in such as Carrot are very high in sugar.

I've recently been following some of your posts on gl. I have to also ask how did the vet determine that your pig has type 2 diabetes. Was a blood glucose test done?

I don't know where you get that carrot is high in sugars because it's not. A baby carrot has only approximately .48 mg of sugars. The only thing carrots are high in is Vitamin A and oxalic acid.

If the Supa Guinea Excel is fresh (not past it's expiration date) it should contain pretty much the full amount of C IF it's stored in a dark place in an airtight container. C in pellets exposed to light and air degrade faster. Pellets are a supplement to a fresh veggie diet.

Does anyone with a diabetic pig know whether once insulin is working whether they can do back to having a bit more sugar in their diet?

I wouldn't add in more sugars with insulin. It could make the insulin not be as effective. I don't have experience with diabetic pigs but lots of esperience with diabetic humans. In humans on insulin, diet is still controlled to a minimum intake of sugars. You don't want to cause more problems in your pig by having her on a diet that defeats the purpose of the insulin or end up having to give her even more insulin because you are feeding her a diet higher in sugars.

I also wouldn't feed red pepper even in tiny amounts as it's almost twice as high in sugars than green. I'd stick with green and if you want variety then go with yellow on occasion.

Have you thought or discussed with your vet about the possibility of adding in a C supplement. There are many on the market that have less than one gram of sugar in them.

I also have to ask in the future, if you can keep all your diabetic pigs diet questions in one thread. This makes it easier to follow and keep track of what you are doing and asking help to do. I am going to merge this thread with your other diet thread later on tonight.

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I have to also ask how did the vet determine that your pig has type 2 diabetes. Was a blood glucose test done?

Sorry I meant Type 1 diabetes, if they are diagnosed under a year old they nearly always have Type 1. A blood glucose test hasn't been done yet. We have taken many urine samples and all of them have turned the darkest browns (this indicates high blood sugar).

I don't know where you get that carrot is high in sugars because it's not. A baby carrot has only approximately .48 mg of sugars. The only thing carrots are high in is Vitamin A and oxalic acid.

I got told by someone else with a diabetic Guinea Pig that there pigs cannot have carrot as it is high in sugar.

I also wouldn't feed red pepper even in tiny amounts as it's almost twice as high in sugars than green. I'd stick with green and if you want variety then go with yellow on occasion.

Thanks, I'll remember that for future. I only think shes had it it twice since shes been diagnosed thank god.

Have you thought or discussed with your vet about the possibility of adding in a C supplement. There are many on the market that have less than one gram of sugar in them.

I went to the vets today and was going to ask about it but he told me to ring Burgess first, see what they say...I might mention this again on out next appointment though.

I also have to ask in the future, if you can keep all your diabetic pigs diet questions in one thread. This makes it easier to follow and keep track of what you are doing and asking help to do. I am going to merge this thread with your other diet thread later on tonight.

Yeah sorry it's just when I done this on another forum people didn't look at it as they didnt see I had added another post with another problem and I was in desperate need for advice.

Thanks for the reply, I have thanked you.

More information:

Today I just went to change their vet bed and I saw blood on her vetbed again, this happened on Christmas Eve night then we started her on Baytril the next day and after a 10 day course there was no more. We stopped the Baytril about 1 or 2 days ago and now she had blood again. This all seems to weird. She has been x-rayed for stones and she doesnt seem in any discomfort what so ever when she pee's, and I would have thought Baytril would have sorted any URI. Im really worried about her at the moment.