Vitamin C (please read, important information)

[Ly&Pigs]

I found this while I was reading threads over at GuineaLynx. I believe this is important information to pass on to all of you here. The information was provided by Pinta who is a very knowledgable cavy slave and she also has some of the best health advise and information anywhere.

Pinta stated:
It is possible to give too much C. Massive overdosing seems to contribute to arthritis(I think the info can be searched out) and there have been reports/theories of pseudo scurvy developing after a pig gets used to massive amounts of C and then the amounts are reduced.

The link to the direct thread where this is stated is:
https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=21406&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20

 

[VoodooJoint]

ohhhh...learn something new every day! It makes sense though!

 

[Teria]

Sorry but that thread has 7 pages of argueing whether Scandinavia is better than the US or not, and all I found (I read 3 pages, then gave up) was Pinta stating the thing about Vitamin C. Is there a page where someone can conform it, or does it stay an unverified statement?

 

[Ly&Pigs]

At this time, it is unverified and yes that thread is wonky but I thought it was important to bring it up here. Like I stated, Pinta has extensive medical knowledge about cavies and I trust her word. I will see if I can dig up some more information on that for you all.

 

[Teria]

That would be great because I can't find any information. Thank you!

(And I meant confirm, not conform. Stupid Typo)

 

[LuvMyPiggers]

Thank you for the info! I needed this because I was worrying about it. It does make sense because if you look at it, it's like steroids. If you don't ween sterioids off someone (especially animals) there liver will shut down because it's kind of like fedding off the steroids.

 

[WendyK]

Would someone mind posting the "model diet" say for three days, which would provide the correct amount of Vitamin C for one cavy AND be balanced in all other ways. I'm trying to get a handle on this - and I'm not sure I'm there - from everything I've read (here and the guinealynx site) this is what I do, over a 3 day cycle for my 6 week old guinea pig- please tell me if I'm off base.

Day 1: water, pellets, timothy hay, one cube of cantaloupe, 2 baby carrots, red leaf lettuce (4 leaves) one small wedge of apple

Day 2: water, pellets, timothy hay, fresh grass (handful) 2 orange wedges, one small piece of banana(no other fruit) 3 sprigs parsley (reduce red leaf lettuse by 1 leaf)

Day 3: water, pellets, timothy hay, fresh grass (handful) one cube cantaloupe, one wedge orange, 2 baby carrots, red leaf lettuce (4 -5 leaves)

 

[Slap Maxwell]

I would cut down on the fruit intake to two peices three days a week. I would increase the lettuce and green intake (celery, cilantro, cucumber, lots of bell pepper, endive, collard greens, kale). One baby carrot three times a week is max.

Also try:

Dandelion greens
Corn silks and husks
Grapes, raisins
Watermelon
Tomato
Clover
Strawberries
Spinach
Kiwi
Alfalfa Sprouts
Mango

 

[WendyK]

Thank you - that helps - does too much fruit make them fat?

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Fruit has a lot of sugar. It can also lead to diarhea.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

The natural sugars in fruits will make them fat. Banana can constipate pigs so feed that in great moderation. Acidic fruits like apples, oranges, etc. can cause mouth sores. One small piece of fruit a couple times per week is sufficient. If you feed them a good balanced diet including lots of dark leafy greens (be careful of parsley, kale and spinach, only feed those in moderation 2-3 times per week) then they will have enough vitamin C. Parsley, kale and spinach are high in calcium and spinach has oxalic acid.

 

[mane3862]

there have been reports/theories of pseudo scurvy developing after a pig gets used to massive amounts of C and then the amounts are reduced.

I know this is true for humans, so it's logical that it could be the same way for guineapigs.

Sorry but that thread has 7 pages of argueing whether Scandinavia is better than the US or not

Of course Scandinavia is better!