Best ways to give Vitamin C supplements?
So, I have several elderly pigs, some who are recovering from mites, etc. I have tried giving them chewable vitamin C tabs, just to boost their systems a little. Unfortunately only a few of them will take the tablet.
Any suggestions for any other way to give them extra C? Is there a liquid vitamin C that I can give?
Any suggestions for any other way to give them extra C? Is there a liquid vitamin C that I can give?
I give Tulip the Vitamin C tablet. I put it back in her mouth, hold her mouth until she starts chewing, and down the hatch. I so it similar like pilling a dog. :)
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- 4 the Good of all Pigs
I use a liquid and syringe it. Brand name is KAL. I get it at The Vitamin Shoppe
Slave - all the liquid vitamin C I've found, including KAL contain other ingredients I'm not sure are good for piggies:
"Other Ingredients:
Sorbitol, syrup, acerola cherry extract, rose hip extract, natural guava liquid flavor, natural raspberry flavor, natural blueberry flavor."
. Right now my guys will take a crushed tab in a syringe. I'll try sprinkling ity on their greens to get them used to it though.
"Other Ingredients:
Sorbitol, syrup, acerola cherry extract, rose hip extract, natural guava liquid flavor, natural raspberry flavor, natural blueberry flavor."
. Right now my guys will take a crushed tab in a syringe. I'll try sprinkling ity on their greens to get them used to it though.
You can use something like this:
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod. ... ase_filler
If you are really ambitious, you can order vitamin c powder and glycerin (to dissolve) on Amazon (make sure they are food grade, not just cosmetic grade). You can flavor it with juice from a blender if you want. You can make it as "natural" as possible this way, and you can mix small enough quantities that you don't have to worry about it degrading.
I hesitate about sprinkling food with the powder just because I want to ensure each pig gets at least 25 mg. The recommended dose is 50, but they get veggies as well.
http://www.drugstore.com/products/prod. ... ase_filler
If you are really ambitious, you can order vitamin c powder and glycerin (to dissolve) on Amazon (make sure they are food grade, not just cosmetic grade). You can flavor it with juice from a blender if you want. You can make it as "natural" as possible this way, and you can mix small enough quantities that you don't have to worry about it degrading.
I hesitate about sprinkling food with the powder just because I want to ensure each pig gets at least 25 mg. The recommended dose is 50, but they get veggies as well.
I use RX Choice Vitamin C liquid which I buy online and is the same as my Exotics Vet gave me when I first got the pigs. He was kind enough to tell me the brand etc so I could go buy a big bottle rather than get it from him. The pigs love it, they grab the syringe out of eachother's mouths.
http://www.planetrx.com/p/hi-tech-pharm ... 81802.html
http://www.planetrx.com/p/hi-tech-pharm ... 81802.html
- Sef
- I dissent.
You could also go with a more 'natural' approach like herbal supplements:
http://www.fuzzieskingdom.com/herbs/tre ... abbit.html
I have used several of the products on that site.
http://www.fuzzieskingdom.com/herbs/tre ... abbit.html
I have used several of the products on that site.
- eschimpf
- SweetPea
I use oxbow tablets and this is what I do:
I recline the pig in my arms, hold the head with one hand so that I can see those big chompers. I place the pill into the side of the lips so that it slips behind the chompers. I then give it a little push with my finger so it goes to the back of the mouth (yes my finger is slightly in the mouth). I make sure this is all done by the side of the mouth so I don't get chomped on. I've never been bit this way. I've also never had one spit it out. Remember to do it fast though, no slow motion. ;)
All my pigs HATE Vit. C so when I've had to give it to them, its always by force.
I recline the pig in my arms, hold the head with one hand so that I can see those big chompers. I place the pill into the side of the lips so that it slips behind the chompers. I then give it a little push with my finger so it goes to the back of the mouth (yes my finger is slightly in the mouth). I make sure this is all done by the side of the mouth so I don't get chomped on. I've never been bit this way. I've also never had one spit it out. Remember to do it fast though, no slow motion. ;)
All my pigs HATE Vit. C so when I've had to give it to them, its always by force.
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- 4 the Good of all Pigs
Huh. I thought I looked on it when I got it and only saw the natural additives. My bottle cap broke and now I have it in a plain bottle. It was recommended on here a few years ago (I forget who used it) so I sought it out. I don't think it's hurt any of the pigs that received it. I don't use it on a normal basis, only for sick ones or ones that come in malnourished.
- Ibepatience
- Supporter in '13
Do you guys give vitamin C to all of your pigs or just when they are sick / aging? I have the Oxbow tablets but only tried putting them in their cage to eat and they ignored them. I haven't been too concerned about it because I try to make sure they get enough in their veggies but should I supplement too? I like the idea of crushing and using a syringe. Maybe I'll try that. A whole tablet per pig? Once a day?