Did you know that guinea pigs can suffer from scurvy?
Remember the scurvy crises that marked our history during the period of exploration and colonization of Canada. A disease that around the 1930s was recognized as being of dietary origin resulting from a severe vitamin C deficiency and manifesting itself by fatigue, anorexia, weight loss, hemorrhages as well as muscle and joint problems.
Well, just like us humans, the guinea pig is susceptible to this problem because it does not have the ability to synthesize the vitamin C it needs. An essential vitamin that is involved in several biochemical reactions in the body and among other things, in the formation of collagen (an essential component of tissues) which is often implicated in the symptoms of scurvy. Its antioxidant power also gives it a supporting action for the immune system.
Among the rodent family, the guinea pig is the only one not fortunate enough to be provided with the essential enzyme for the transformation of glucose into ascorbic acid (vitamin C). It is therefore important that it finds in its diet an adequate supply of vitamin C in order to compensate for this deficiency, otherwise, it will suffer from a severe vitamin C deficiency which will drastically shorten its lifespan. The daily recommendations are 20 mg of vitamin C per kg of live weight but may be higher depending on the physiological stage of the animal (growth, gestation, lactation, etc.).
In addition, the guinea pig is unable to store vitamin C. Any excess is eliminated through its urinary system. By the same token, any diet too low in vitamin C quickly expresses hypovitaminosis and if dietary corrections are not made, a month is enough for this hypovitaminosis to be fatal to your little companion.
Please note that it is therefore not recommended to feed guinea pigs the same food as that for rabbits because the latter is not enriched with vitamin C. On the other hand, a daily intake of a small portion of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, in addition to the ration of pellets formulated specifically for guinea pigs, represents an assurance that your animal's vitamin C intake is sufficient and beneficial to its health.
Sophie Gauthier, agr
General Manager Nature Division Bélisle
Well, just like us humans, the guinea pig is susceptible to this problem because it does not have the ability to synthesize the vitamin C it needs. An essential vitamin that is involved in several biochemical reactions in the body and among other things, in the formation of collagen (an essential component of tissues) which is often implicated in the symptoms of scurvy. Its antioxidant power also gives it a supporting action for the immune system.
Among the rodent family, the guinea pig is the only one not fortunate enough to be provided with the essential enzyme for the transformation of glucose into ascorbic acid (vitamin C). It is therefore important that it finds in its diet an adequate supply of vitamin C in order to compensate for this deficiency, otherwise, it will suffer from a severe vitamin C deficiency which will drastically shorten its lifespan. The daily recommendations are 20 mg of vitamin C per kg of live weight but may be higher depending on the physiological stage of the animal (growth, gestation, lactation, etc.).
In addition, the guinea pig is unable to store vitamin C. Any excess is eliminated through its urinary system. By the same token, any diet too low in vitamin C quickly expresses hypovitaminosis and if dietary corrections are not made, a month is enough for this hypovitaminosis to be fatal to your little companion.
Please note that it is therefore not recommended to feed guinea pigs the same food as that for rabbits because the latter is not enriched with vitamin C. On the other hand, a daily intake of a small portion of fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C, in addition to the ration of pellets formulated specifically for guinea pigs, represents an assurance that your animal's vitamin C intake is sufficient and beneficial to its health.
Sophie Gauthier, agr
General Manager Nature Division Bélisle
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