We have probably all heard of a disease known as scurvy or vitamin C deficiency, but we may not know that this pathology can also affect our guinea pigs and, moreover, with relative frequency, since it is not uncommon for these rodents to feed inadequately.
In this article on our site we are going to explain what is scurvy in guinea pigs, how it manifests itself and whatsymptoms we will observe so that we can detect it and, of course, what is the treatment to apply. If you live with a guinea pig, this article is of interest to you.
What is scurvy?
As we have said, this disease is caused by a deficiency of vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid. Guinea pigs, like humans, are not capable of synthesizing this vitamin, that is, their body cannot manufacture it, which means that they must ingest it through the diet, through food or supplements.
Vitamin C performs various functions in the body. Perhaps the best known is its intervention in the synthesis of collagen, which participates in the creation of all types of tissues. When this vitamin is missing, various alterations. are produced
Symptoms of scurvy in guinea pigs
The most frequent symptoms of scurvy in guinea pigs are:
- Loss of appetite and therefore weight loss.
- Hypersalivation.
- Respiratory diseases.
- Milder and less effective immune response.
- Pododermatitis (painful swelling of the feet).
- Bleeding and inflammation of the gums and dental weakness that can lead to tooth loss.
- Other internal bleeding may occur, especially around joints such as the knees.
- Delayed healing of wounds, peeling, alopecia, darkened skin and hair in poor condition.
- Weakness, decreased activity, lameness, joint stiffness, incoordination and pain on handling (guinea pig screams if picked up).
You must bear in mind that vitamin C deficiency can be a primary or secondary disorder This means that, on occasions, our guinea pig has a proper diet and a correct supply of this vitamin but, for example, he suffers from some pathology, such as a cold, that prevents him from eating. This fast, and not food, would be the cause of the deficiency. For this reason, whenever our guinea pig gets sick and loses its appetite, supplementation with vitamin C should be assessed.
The treatment of scurvy in guinea pigs
If we observe any of the aforementioned symptoms we should go to our veterinarian without wasting time. Once the diagnosis has been established, the veterinarian, who must be a specialist in these rodents, will prescribe the administration of a vitamin C supplement, since compensating for the lack of this vitamin is what will cure scurvy in guinea pigs.
In addition, a balanced and adequate diet will be marked according to nutritional needs, which will depend on factors such as age or whether our guinea pig is pregnant or not. Maintaining a correct diet is what will prevent our guinea pig from getting sick again.
You should know that the necessary amount of this vitamin triples during the guinea pig's pregnancy and that it is a vitamin with a short shelf lifeThis means that if we dilute it in water, in a few hours its intake will no longer produce any effect, since it degrades in the environment. It is also not kept for more than 90 days in feed that we can find on the market enriched with vitamin C.
The daily needs of this vitamin are estimated at about 10 mg per kg, rising to 30 in the case of a pregnant guinea pig. It should also be borne in mind that an excess of vitamin C can cause diarrhoea.
A balanced diet for guinea pigs
As we have said, to avoid scurvy in guinea pigs we must prevent vitamin C deficiency by giving our guinea pig an adequate diet containing this vitamin in sufficient quantity. The recommended diet for an adult guinea pig consists of the following:
- Hay, which should constitute almost all of the daily feed, between 70-80%. Alfalfa is recommended only in the case of pregnant females because they increase their calcium requirements. In a guinea pig that is not in a state, this amount of calcium can end up being deposited in the form of stones.
- Guinea pig feed, which must also consist basically of hay. As we have mentioned, attention must be paid to the date of manufacture to ensure that, if it is enriched with vitamin C, it is still active. It should account for approximately 20% of the daily diet.
- Vegetables, especially those rich in vitamin C, such as spinach, parsley (not indicated in pregnant guinea pigs), cabbage, endives or beets, in an approximate amount of 5% of the diet.
- Fruits and cereals for occasional consumption, as a prize.
- Together with our veterinarian we will assess the need to administer a vitamin C supplement.
